UPDATE: A murder investigation is underway after a devastating house fire in Edenderry, Co Offaly, that claimed the lives of two individuals—a 60-year-old woman and a 4-year-old boy. The tragedy unfolded at around 7:45 PM on Saturday at a residence on Castleview Park.
Authorities confirm that another woman, aged in her 50s, is currently hospitalized with serious injuries. Emergency services, including the Offaly Fire and Rescue Service and the National Ambulance Service, swiftly responded to the blaze but tragically found the two victims deceased at the scene.
Irish police, or Gardai, have stated that they believe the fire was intentionally set, describing it as a “reckless, callous and murderous attack on a family home.” The scene has been designated a crime scene and is undergoing a thorough technical examination by the Garda technical bureau.
A Garda spokesperson emphasized the grave nature of the incident:
“This was a reckless, callous and murderous attack on a family home.”
The remains of both victims have been transported from the scene, with post-mortem examinations scheduled to begin this afternoon at the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore, under the direction of assistant state pathologist Margot Bolster.
Police are actively appealing for anyone with information about the incident to come forward, particularly those who were in the vicinity of Castleview Park or nearby roads between 7 PM and 8 PM on Saturday. Investigators are particularly interested in any dashcam footage or images that could assist in their inquiries.
The investigation is being coordinated from an incident room at Tullamore garda station, with a senior investigating officer leading the efforts. Gardai encourage anyone with information to contact them directly at 057 932 7600, the Garda confidential line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station, especially the Edenderry Garda station.
This tragic event has left the local community in shock, with many expressing their condolences and concern for the affected families. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on bringing any perpetrators to justice in this horrific incident.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as authorities work tirelessly to uncover the truth behind this tragic fire.
