Fifth man arrested in connection with Offaly house fire that killed Tadgh Farrell and Mary Holt

April 30, 2026

Four men were arrested on Tuesday of this week – all five are currently detained by gardaí.

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Mary Holt and Tadhg Farrell.

Fifth man arrested in connection with Offaly house fire that killed Tadgh Farrell and Mary Holt

Four men were arrested on Tuesday of this week – all five are currently detained by gardaí.

8.53am, 30 Apr 2026

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A FIFTH MAN has been arrested as part of the investigation into the double murder of a four-year-old boy and his great-aunt in Co Offaly in December.

Tadgh Farrell and Mary Holt (60) died in a fire at a house in Castleview Park in Edenderry that was caused by a petrol bomb.

The attack took place shortly before 7.45pm on 6 December 2025.

Gardaí said the bodies of Tadhg and Mary were later found in the front room of the house.

Tadgh’s grandmother, Pauline Holt, was also in the property at the time and suffered serious injuries.

Four men – two in their 20s, one in his 30s and another a juvenile aged in his teens – were arrested on Tuesday.

A fifth man, aged in his 20s, was arrested yesterday evening.

All five are currently detained at garda stations in the east and midlands.

A garda spokesperson said investigations are ongoing.

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Diarmuid Pepper

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