A FOUR-YEAR-OLD boy and a woman have died in a house fire in Co Offaly following a “reckless, callous and murderous attack on a family home”.
Another woman is currently being treated in hospital following the horror blaze at a home in Edenderry on Saturday evening.
Gardai confirmed this afternoon that they are treating the fatal blaze as a murder investigation.
They said they believe “the house was attacked” and that “the fire was deliberately started”.
Emergency services and gardai raced to the scene in Castleview Park at around 7.45pm last night after the alarm was raised.
The fire was eventually extinguished by the local fire service who battled the blaze.
Tragically, the bodies of a boy, 4, and woman, 60, were recovered from the house, while a third person was rushed to hospital.
The second woman, aged in her 50s, remains in hospital for treatment of serious injuries.
The remains of both deceased have been removed from the scene.
Post-mortem examinations are due to be carried out by Assistant State Pathologist Margot Bolster at the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore, commencing this afternoon.
The house has since been declared a crime scene and the Garda Technical Bureau are currently carrying out an examination of the property.
A Garda family liaison officer has been appointed to the families.
Garda described the incident as a “reckless, callous and murderous attack on a family home” and are appealing for witnesses.
MURDER PROBE
A spokesperson said: “An Garda Siochana has commenced a murder investigation into all the circumstances of a fatal house fire that occurred at a domestic residence in Castleview Park, Edenderry, Co. Offaly on the evening of Saturday 6th December, 2025.
“Emergency services, including Offaly Fire and Rescue Service, National Ambulance Service and Gardaí responded to the fire shortly before 7.45pm.
“The fire was extinguished and the remains of two persons, a woman aged 60 and a 4-year-old boy, were discovered deceased.
“A second woman, aged in her 50s, was transported from the scene by the National Ambulance Service and is receiving hospital treatment for serious injuries.
“The house has been declared a crime scene and is currently subject to technical examination by the Garda Technical Bureau.”
‘MURDEROUS ATTACK’
The statement added: “This murder investigation is being coordinated from an incident room at Tullamore Garda Station under the direction of a Senior Investigating Officer.
“An Garda Siochana believes that the house was attacked by a person or persons unknown at this time, and that the fire was deliberately started. This was a reckless, callous and murderous attack on a family home.”
“Gardai in Offaly are appealing for any person with any information on this fatal incident to speak with investigating Gardaí.
“Gardai want to speak with any person who was in the vicinity of Castleview Park, or adjoining roads between 7.00pm and 8.00pm, yesterday Saturday 6th December 2025 to speak with investigating Gardai.
“Gardai want to speak with any person who was driving in the vicinity of Castleview Park, or adjoining roads between 7.00pm and 8.00pm, yesterday Saturday 6th December 2025 and who may have any dashcam video footage or images to contact investigating Gardaí.
“The investigation team can be contacted at the incident room at Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station, in particular Edenderry Garda Station.”
LOCAL SHOCK
Independent Offaly TD Carol Nolan expressed her sadness following the horrific incident.
Deputy Nolan wrote on social media: “Very sad news relating to house fire in Edenderry, it is now being reported that people have lost their lives. My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and community.
“This is just heartbreaking and devastating news.”
Local Fianna Fail councillor Claire Murray-Smale also offered her “deepest condolences” to the loved ones of those caught up in the “horrific tragedy”.
The Edenderry rep said: “I would just like to offer my deepest condolences to all involved in what can only be described as a horrific tragedy.”
Edenderry councillor Fergus McDonnell added that the local community “is in shock” following the “dreadful and horrendous” incident.
GARDA STATEMENT IN FULL
“AN Garda Siochana has commenced a murder investigation into all the circumstances of a fatal house fire that occurred at a domestic residence in Castleview Park, Edenderry, Co Offaly on the evening of Saturday 6th December, 2025.
“Emergency services, including Offaly Fire and Rescue Service, National Ambulance Service and Gardai responded to the fire shortly before 7.45pm.
“The fire was extinguished and the remains of two persons, a woman aged 60 and a 4-year-old boy, were discovered deceased.
“A second woman, aged in her 50s, was transported from the scene by the National Ambulance Service and is receiving hospital treatment for serious injuries.
“The house has been declared a crime scene and is currently subject to technical examination by the Garda Technical Bureau.
“The office of the Local Coroner and the State Pathologist have been notified.
“The remains of both deceased have been removed from the scene and post-mortems will be carried out by the Assistant State Pathologist Margot Bolster at the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore, commencing this afternoon.
“This murder investigation is being coordinated from an incident room at Tullamore Garda Station under the direction of a Senior Investigating Officer.
“A Family Liaison Officer has been appointed to the families.
“An Garda Siochana believes that the house was attacked by a person or persons unknown at this time, and that the fire was deliberately started. This was a reckless, callous and murderous attack on a family home.
“Gardai in Offaly are appealing for any person with any information on this fatal incident to speak with investigating Gardai.
“Gardai want to speak with any person who was in the vicinity of Castleview Park, or adjoining roads between 7.00pm and 8.00pm, yesterday Saturday 6th December 2025 to speak with investigating Gardai.
“Gardai want to speak with any person who was driving in the vicinity of Castleview Park, or adjoining roads between 7.00pm and 8.00pm, yesterday Saturday 6th December 2025 and who may have any dashcam video footage or images to contact investigating Gardaí.
“The investigation team can be contacted at the incident room at Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station, in particular Edenderry Garda Station.”