Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6579Murder; arson · Co. Kerry · 12 May 2012

Man charged with double murder and arson over 2012 Tralee house fire

On 12 May 2012, a house on Killeen Heights in Tralee, Co Kerry, was set on fire, killing Anthony O'Brien, reported as 30 in one source and 29 in another, and his five-year-old daughter Nadine O'Brien. Gardaí established that the fire was started deliberately. After more than a decade of inquiries, Philip Griffin, a 37-year-old man of no fixed abode but originally from Tralee, was extradited from the UK and arrested. He was charged with both murders and with arson, and appeared at Cahersiveen District Court on 8 February 2024. He was remanded in custody to appear by video link at Tralee District Court on 14 February.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested7 Feb
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court8 Feb
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Anthony O'Brien, a man, and his daughter Nadine O'Brien, a girl aged five, died in an arson attack on their home in Tralee, Co Kerry.
Where
The attack targeted a semi-detached house at Killeen Heights, Oakpark, Tralee.
When
The house was targeted by arsonists on 12 May 2012, and the fire broke out at around 2.20am.
Other details
Anthony O'Brien, reported as 30 by one source and 29 by another, died trying to save his daughter Nadine, and both victims died from smoke inhalation in the blaze.
Cause
Gardaí established that the fire was started deliberately, and the house was targeted after Mr O'Brien had earlier been in a row with a man in the town.
Investigation
  • Three men were arrested in mid 2022 and later released without charge.
  • Gardaí spent more than a decade searching for suspects, and Tralee Garda Station secured an extradition request for Philip Griffin.
  • A report of 7 February 2024 said Griffin was arrested in England under an extradition request, while a report of 8 February 2024 said Detective Sergeant Ernie Henderson arrested him at Dublin Airport on the Wednesday after extradition from the UK.
Charges
  • The Director of Public Prosecutions directed gardaí to charge Griffin with offences connected to the fire.
  • Griffin is charged with the murder of Anthony O'Brien and the murder of Nadine O'Brien, and with arson of a dwelling house at 42 Killeen Heights, Tralee, on the same date.
  • Griffin was charged and cautioned at Tralee Garda Station, and said he had nothing to say at this time.
In court
  • Griffin appeared at Cahersiveen District Court, where Judge David Waters heard that he had been extradited from the UK on foot of two arrest warrants issued in November 2023.
  • The State applied for reporting restrictions to protect the identity of the child, and Judge Waters refused the application.
  • Griffin was remanded in custody to appear by video link at Tralee District Court on 14 February 2024, and his solicitor applied for legal aid and medical attention in custody.
36 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatAnthony O'Brien and his daughter Nadine died in an arson attack on their home in Tralee. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe attack happened at a semi-detached house in Killeen Heights, Oakpark. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe alleged murders happened at a house in Killeen Heights, Tralee. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe deaths occurred in the victims' home in Tralee, Co Kerry. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe house was targeted by arsonists on 12 May 2012. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe fire broke out at around 2.20am. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe killings are alleged to have happened on 12 May 2012. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe offences are alleged to have occurred on 12 May 2012. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeGardaí established that the fire was started deliberately. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe house was targeted after Mr O'Brien had earlier been in a row with a man in the town. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThree men were arrested in mid 2022 and later released without charge. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí spent more than a decade hunting for suspects. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí from Tralee Station secured an extradition request and the suspect was arrested in England. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationDetective Sergeant Ernie Henderson arrested Philip Griffin at Dublin Airport. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí arrested Griffin at Dublin Airport on Wednesday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe Director of Public Prosecutions ordered gardaí to charge the suspect with offences connected to the fire. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargePhilip Griffin is charged with the murder of Anthony O'Brien and Nadine O'Brien. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargePhilip Griffin is also charged with arson on the same date. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargePhilip Griffin was charged and cautioned at Tralee Garda station. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeGriffin is charged with the murder of Anthony O'Brien and Nadine O'Brien. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeGriffin is charged with arson of a dwelling house at 42 Killeen Heights, Tralee. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe suspect is expected to be brought to a court in Co Kerry to appear on the charges. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Cahersiveen District Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe State applied for reporting restrictions to protect the identity of the child, and the judge refused the application. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtGriffin's solicitor applied for legal aid and for medical attention in custody. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentencePhilip Griffin was remanded in custody to appear by video link at Tralee District Court on February 14th. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceGriffin was remanded in custody to appear by video link at Tralee District Court on 14 February. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherAnthony O'Brien died trying to save his daughter Nadine. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherBoth victims were overcome by smoke and died in the blaze. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe family are aware of the imminent extradition. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherPhilip Griffin had been extradited from the UK on foot of two arrest warrants. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherPhilip Griffin said he had nothing to say at this time when charged. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe judge refused a request for a restriction on reporting that would identify the child. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherGriffin had been extradited from the UK on foot of two arrest warrants. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherGriffin was charged and cautioned at Tralee Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherGriffin said he had nothing to say at this time. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Feb2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man, 37, charged with double murders of father and 5 year-old daughter

    Charges over 2012 deaths; Griffin was extradited from the UK and arrested at Dublin Airport. The court refused a State application for reporting restrictions on identifying the child.

    victim, Anthony O'Brien, 30, male, irish (judged from name)Anthony O'Brienvictim, Nadine O'Brien, 5, female, irish (judged from name)Nadine O'Brienaccused, Philip Griffin, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Griffin
  2. 8 Feb2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Man appears in Co Kerry court charged with murder of father and daughter

    First report of the court appearance: names the accused and victims, the charges of murder and arson, the extradition from the UK, the arrest at Dublin Airport and the remand in custody to Tralee District Court on February 14th.

    accused, Philip Griffin, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Griffinvictim, Anthony O'Brien, 30, male, irish (judged from name)Anthony O'Brienvictim, Nadine O'Brien, 5, irish (judged from name)Nadine O'Brien
  3. 7 Feb2024
    Arrestedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Gardai set to extradite man over arson deaths of Kerry dad and daughter

    Reports that the Director of Public Prosecutions directed charges and that the prime suspect was arrested in England under an extradition request for the purpose of charge. He is expected to appear in a Co Kerry court once back in Ireland. The article does not name the suspect.

    victim, Anthony O'Brien, 29, male, irish (judged from name)Anthony O'Brienvictim, Nadine O'Brien, 5, irish (judged from name)Nadine O'Briensuspect