THE TAOISEACH HAS led tributes to Mary Holt and Tadhg Farrell, the woman and young boy who were killed in a house fire caused by a petrol bomb attack.

The 4-year-old boy and his 60-year-old great-aunt were killed in the blaze that occurred at 7.45 pm in Castleview Park, Edenderry, Co Offaly, on Saturday evening.

A second woman is in hospital being treated for serious injuries.

A murder investigation into the deaths of Mary and Tadhg is underway.

This morning Micheál Martin said that the entire country is “shocked and numbed” by the “savage, callous, and reckless attack on a family home”.

My thoughts are with the families of Tadhg Farrell and Mary Holt.

The country is numbed and shocked by this savage, callous, and reckless attack on a family home.

Those responsible will be brought to justice. No effort will be spared by the State or An Garda Síochána. pic.twitter.com/1hBJBY6P7M

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) December 8, 2025

He said that the level of “inhumanity” displayed in the attack is “difficult to comprehend”.

“This violence must stop in our society, those responsible for this criminal attack will be brought to justice, no effort will be spared by the gardai and by the state to ensure that that happens,” he said.

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said that the attack was “designed to kill” the inhabitants of the house. 

“I want to condemn in the strongest possible terms the appalling attack on a family in their home in Edenderry on Saturday night,” he said. 

“When you look at those deaths and when you look at the visible damage to the property, what this shows that this was an attack that was designed to kill the inhabitants,” he added. 

The Minister said one line of inquiry being pursued by gardai was that the attack was “caused by people involved in the drugs trade”.

“If that is the case, it shows how dangerous that trade is and how dangerous it is to innocent people, such as the two innocent people who were killed and the innocent woman who was seriously injured.

“It just confirms that drugs are destroying societies and people who get involved in drugs need to know that it will wreak devastation not just on themselves but those who are close to them,” O’Callaghan further said. 

Independent TD Carol Nolan also paid tributes to Mary and her great-nephew Tadhg. 

“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 the community of Edenderry. This is truly heartbreaking and devastating news.” she said. 

Local councillor Claire Murray-Smale today told the Irish Mirror today that “there’s a level of disbelief, we are shocked, you can’t underestimated how that word shocked is ringing around the community.”

Murray-Smale said that Mary is one of the “longest serving members of staff in a nursing home around the corner” and that she has cared for “so many people around the community, my own grandparents included.”

“Edenderry is a darker place today,” the councillor wrote in a tribute online.

The Edenderry Youth Cafe posted online to say that in light of the “terrible” attack it has made the decision to cancel its annual Christmas event today. 

Local football club Derry Rovers said that they will be hosting a “walk of light against drugs” on Wednesday. 

“A black cloud has fell on our community and we are asking to come and walk with us in Brians Park running track. Join us as we light the night for our community and stand together. Every candle, every step and every voice matters,” the club posted on Facebook.