LAST UPDATE | 16 Dec 2025

GARDAÍ HAVE RELEASED a man back to the Midlands Prison without charge after arresting him in connection with an alleged assault that is suspected to be associated with the Edenderry double-murder investigation.

The arrest was made this morning, and the prisoner was taken for questioning in relation to the alleged assault on 6 December. 

Gardaí are examining a theory that a fight between two feuding prisoners may have been connected to the murders of Tadgh Farrell, aged four, and his 60-year-old great-aunt Mary Holt, who died in an arson attack in Edenderry, Co Offaly.

Last Friday, four prisoners were arrested and questioned by gardaí in relation to the alleged assault.

The four men are aged in their 20s and 30s, and it is believed they were witnesses to the assault; they were questioned and later returned to Midlands Prison.

Gardaí said this evening that investigations are ongoing.

As reported by The Journal, gardaí are examining a number of theories for the motive behind the arson attack on 6 December.

The alleged fight took place between a man, who is known to gardaí and who is related to Mary Holt, and an associate of a well-known criminal figure in the midlands.

The associate of the criminal figure was badly beaten in the encounter and has since been moved within the prison for his own safety.

One motive being considered is that the outcome of the fight caused another man, who is also connected to the criminal figure, to carry out the attack on the house.