Murder inquiry launched after child and woman die in fire

Gardaí (Irish police) have launched a murder investigation after a four-year-old boy and a 60-year-old woman died in a fire in County Offaly.

The fire occurred at a house in Castleview Park, Edenderry, at 19:45 local time on Saturday.

A second woman, aged in her 50s, is in hospital with serious injuries.

Supt Liam Geraghty said that gardaí “believe that the house was attacked by a person or persons unknown and that the fire was deliberately started”.

“This was a reckless, callous and murderous attack on a family home,” he said.

The house has been declared a crime scene and is being examined by the Garda Technical Bureau.

The office of the local coroner and the state pathologist have been notified.

Gardaí said the remains of both deceased have been removed from the scene and post-mortem examinations will begin on Sunday afternoon.

Police appealed for anyone with information or who has dash-cam footage who was in the vicinity of Castleview Park or adjoining roads between 19:00 and 20:00 local time on Saturday to contact them.

Local Independent Ireland councillor Fergus McDonnell said the whole community has been left “absolutely distraught”.

Speaking to Irish broadcaster RTÉ on Sunday, McDonnell said he knew the people who died personally.

“The families are ordinary, salt-of-the-earth people, hard-working, and for something like this to happen, it’s just unreal.”

In a post on social media, Independent TD Carol Nolan said it was “very sad news” that people have lost their lives.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and the community of Edenderry,” she said.

“This is truly heartbreaking and devastating news.”