Ireland Case No. 3168Criminal damage by fire (fatal), endangerment · Co. Offaly · 6 Dec 2025
Gardaí release man in 20s arrested over Edenderry fatal fire
A man in his 20s was released without charge after being arrested in connection with a suspected petrol bomb attack at a house in Edenderry, Co Offaly, that killed Tadgh Farrell (4) and Mary Holt (60) on 6 December 2025. He was the fifth person detained in the investigation, and a file will be prepared for the DPP.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested1 May
2 reports - Charged3 May
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports33 statements extracted from the articles
- whatFive people were arrested in connection with the arson attack, including a juvenile and four men, two in their 20s and two in their 30s. (irishtimes.com)
- whatTadhg and his grandaunt were trapped in a downstairs room as a result of the fire. (irishtimes.com)
- whatIn May 2024, a pipe bomb was discovered in the back garden of the house, leading to houses on the road being evacuated. (irishtimes.com)
- whatTadgh Farrell, 4, and Mary Holt, 60, were killed in a house fire. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA man in his 20s was released without charge in connection with the Edenderry fatal fire. (irishtimes.com)
- whatTadgh Farrell, aged 4, died in the fire. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMary Holt, aged 60, died in the fire. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe fire occurred at Castleview Park, Edenderry, Co Offaly. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe fire occurred at a house at Castleview Park, Edenderry, Co Offaly. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe arson attack occurred on 6 December 2025. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe fire occurred on 6 December 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe attack was a petrol bomb carried out as revenge in a feud. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe fire was a suspected petrol bomb attack. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationAll five were detained under section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, used for the investigation of gang crime. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationFour suspects were arrested on Tuesday and one on Wednesday night. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationAnother man in his 20s was arrested in mid-January for questioning about the fire but was released without charge. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe bomb was made safe and removed by the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe investigation into the arson attack and the deaths is separate to the inquiry into the prison fight. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThree men (two in their 20s, one in his 30s) were arrested on Tuesday. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA teenage boy was arrested on Tuesday evening. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA man in his 20s was arrested on Wednesday evening as the fifth arrest. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe teenage boy, a man in his 20s, and a man in his 30s were released without charge on Saturday. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe man in his 20s arrested on Wednesday was released without charge on Sunday. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA file is to be prepared for the DPP in relation to those released at the weekend. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe man was the fifth person detained in the investigation. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThree other men in their 20s and 30s and a teenage boy were also arrested. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions regarding the released man. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMichael Dunne was charged with criminal damage by arson and endangerment. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeMichael Dunne, 22, with an address in Co Kildare, was charged with criminal damage and endangerment. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMichael Dunne, 22, from Co Kildare, appeared before Tullamore District Court on Friday. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherBoth sides in the dispute are known in Offaly and Kildare for their involvement in the midlands drug scene. (irishtimes.com)
- otherAaron Holt was jailed for seven years over a seizure of heroin valued at more than €32,000 in Edenderry in 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victims are described as having been murdered. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 3 May2026Gardaí release man (20s) arrested over Edenderry fatal fire
Reports the release without charge of the fifth person detained in the Edenderry fatal fire investigation, and confirms Michael Dunne (22) was charged with criminal damage and endangerment.
victim, Tadgh Farrell, 4, male, irish (judged from name)Tadgh Farrellvictim, Mary Holt, 60, female, irish (judged from name)Mary Holtaccused, Michael Dunne, 22, male, named at arrest, irish (judged from name)Michael Dunnesuspect, 20s, male - 3 May2026Gardai release man held over Offaly fire that killed Tadgh Farrell and Mary Holt
Reports the release without charge of a man arrested on Wednesday, the earlier releases of a teenage boy and two other men, and the charging of Michael Dunne, 22, with criminal damage by arson and endangerment at Tullamore District Court.
victim, Tadgh Farrell, 4, male, irish (judged from name)Tadgh Farrellvictim, Mary Holt, 60, female, irish (judged from name)Mary Holtaccused, Michael Dunne, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Dunnesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, male - 1 May2026Gardaí ‘identify main figures’ behind Edenderry arson attack that killed boy (4) and aunt
Reports that Gardaí believe they have identified the main figures behind the feud-related arson, with five people arrested and detained under section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act. Details the connection to a prison fight, prior attacks on the house, and the midlands drug scene context.
victim, Tadhg Farrell, 4, male, irish (judged from name)Tadhg Farrellvictim, Mary Holt, 60, female, irish (judged from name)Mary Holtvictim, femalesuspectsuspect, malesuspect, 20s, male