Ireland Man charged over Edenderry house fire that killed child and great-aunt
Michael Dunne, 22, appeared before Tullamore District Court on 1 May 2026 charged with two offences of criminal damage by arson and endangerment in relation to a house fire in Castleview Park, Edenderry, Co Offaly, on 6 December 2025 that killed four-year-old Tadgh Farrell and his great-aunt Mary Holt, 60. He was remanded in custody with a next appearance via videolink on 6 May 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Charged1 May
3 reports - In court3 May
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports38 statements extracted from the articles
- whatTadgh Farrell, aged four, died in the fire (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMary Holt, aged 60, died in the fire (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMichael Dunne (22) was charged with two offences at a special sitting of Tullamore District Court on Friday evening. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe fire killed 60-year-old Mary Holt and four-year-old Tadhg Farrell. (irishtimes.com)
- whatFour-year-old Tadgh Farrell was killed in the house fire. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMary Holt, aged 60, was killed in the house fire. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMichael Dunne is aged 22. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatFour-year-old Tadgh Farrell and his great-aunt Mary Holt, 60, were killed in a house fire in Castleview Park, Edenderry, on 6 December 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe fire occurred at a house in Castleview Park, Edenderry, Co. Offaly (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whereThe fire occurred in Castleview Park, Edenderry, Co Offaly. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereMichael Dunne has an address in Co Kildare. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe fatal house fire occurred on 6 December 2025 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe fire occurred on 6 December 2025. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe home was attacked shortly before 7.45pm on Saturday, 6 December 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThree men were arrested as part of the investigation, two in their 20s and one in his 30s (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA teenage boy was also arrested (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA fifth arrest of a man in his 20s occurred on Wednesday evening (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe four other males arrested in connection with the incident remain in custody (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationDet Garda Tom Dunne of Tullamore Garda station charged Dunne at 1.08pm on Friday. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí arrested four people in relation to the suspected arson attack earlier in the week. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationOne man in his 30s, another in his 20s and a teenager remain in Garda custody under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationCCTV footage showed two hooded individuals smashing a window before setting an object on fire and throwing it into the property. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThree men (two in their 20s, one in his 30s) and a teenage boy were arrested as part of the investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe two adult males and the teenage boy were released without charge. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA fifth man in his 20s, arrested on Wednesday evening, remains detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA file will be prepared for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeA man in his 20s has been charged in connection with the fatal house fire (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe is accused of criminal damage by arson and endangerment arising from the fire. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe was charged with two offences of criminal damage by arson and endangerment. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeMichael Dunne, 22, from Co Kildare, was charged with two offences of criminal damage by arson and endangerment. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe charged man is due before Tullamore District Court on 1 May 2026 at 5pm (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge denied the anonymity request. (irishtimes.com)
- courtDunne was remanded in custody to appear by videolink the following Wednesday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMichael Dunne appeared before Tullamore District Court on Friday evening 1 May 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThere was no application for bail and he was remanded in custody. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHis next court appearance is on Wednesday 6 May 2026 via videolink. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMichael Dunne was remanded in custody at Tullamore District Court with no application for bail. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe incident drew political attention and prompted locals to hold a vigil for the victims. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 3 May2026Three men arrested over fatal Edenderry fire released without charge
Reports the release without charge of three men and a teenage boy, the continued detention of a fifth man under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007, and Michael Dunne's remand at Tullamore District Court on arson and endangerment charges. Also references CCTV footage of two hooded individuals setting the fire and the political attention and vigil the incident drew.
victim, Tadgh Farrell, 4, male, irish (judged from name)Tadgh Farrellvictim, Mary Holt, 60, female, irish (judged from name)Mary Holtvictim, femaleaccused, Michael Dunne, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Dunnesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, male - 1 May2026Man appears in court over house fire that killed Tadgh Farrell, 4, and Mary Holt
First court appearance; no bail application; remanded in custody; next appearance via videolink on 6 May 2026; Judge Andrew Cody imposed a reporting restriction on the accused's address.
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 Dunne - 1 May2026Man (22) charged with two offences over fatal Edenderry house fire
Details Dunne's court appearance, the two charges, the victims, reporting restrictions, the barrister's failed anonymity application, and the arrest of four other people in connection with the suspected arson.
accused, Michael Dunne, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Dunnevictim, Mary Holt, 60, female, irish (judged from name)Mary Holtvictim, Tadhg Farrell, 4, male, irish (judged from name)Tadhg Farrellsuspect, 30s, malesuspect, 20s, malesuspect - 1 May2026Man charged in connection with fire that killed Tadgh Farrell and Mary Holt
Gardaí confirmed the charging of one man in his 20s, due before Tullamore District Court on 1 May 2026. Five people in total have been arrested in connection with the fire, including a teenage boy; the remaining four males are still in custody.
victim, Tadgh Farrell, 4, male, irish (judged from name)Tadgh Farrellvictim, Mary Holt, 60, female, irish (judged from name)Mary Holtvictim, femaleaccused, 20s, male