Four men arrested over alleged Midlands Prison assault released without charge

Tadgh Farrell, aged four, and his 60-year-old great-aunt Mary Holt were killed in the blaze last Saturday.

LAST UPDATE | 12 Dec 2025

FOUR MEN ARRESTED this morning in connection with an alleged prison assault that is suspected of being associated with the double murder in Edenderry have been released without charge.

The arrests were made this morning in the Midlands Prison – the four men are prisoners and were being questioned by gardaí in relation to an alleged assault that took place last Saturday.

The four men, aged in their 20s and 30s, have been returned to Midlands Prison after questioning.

As reported by The Journal, gardaí are examining a number of theories for the motive behind the arson attack on 6 December, which killed Mary Holt (60) and Tadgh Farrell (4).

It is believed that a recent fight between two men in the prison may be central to the motive.

The 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.

In a statement this afternoon gardaí confirmed the arrests related to an assault.

Searches

Separately, Gardaí also carried out searches of three homes in Co Kildare and Co Offaly this morning in connection with their probe into the fatal arson attack.

Tadgh Farrell, aged four, and his 60-year-old great-aunt Mary Holt were killed in the blaze that occurred at 7.45pm in Castleview Park, Edenderry, on Saturday, 6 December.

These searches have concluded and a spokesperson said gardaí are not releasing the results of these searches for operational reasons.

Tadgh’s funeral took place today at midday in St Mary’s Church in Edenderry and he was laid to rest in St Mary’s cemetery.

The mass was said by Parish Priest Father Gregory Corcoran.

Screenshot 2025-12-12 at 07.37.32 Tadgh Farrell Garda Press Office Garda Press Office

Earlier this week, gardaí released CCTV footage of the attack. In the video, two people can be seen launching the petrol bomb that killed Tadgh and Mary.

Gardaí have described the incident as “reckless and callous” and added that An Garda Síochána is keeping “an open mind as to the reasons and motives for this attack”.

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan this week said one line of inquiry being pursued by gardaí was that the attack was “caused by people involved in the drugs trade”.

On Saturday, Tadgh was visiting his grandmother and grand-aunt Mary when the house was attacked.

The remains of Tadgh and his grandaunt Mary were discovered in the front room of the house where the fire was deliberately started.

Tadgh’s grandmother continues to receive hospital treatment for serious burn injuries.

Garda continue to appeal to any person with any information on this violent fatal incident to speak with 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.