Murder inquiry launched after child and woman die in fire

Gardaí 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 broke out at a house in Castleview Park in Edenderry at 19.45 local time on Saturday.

A second woman in her 50s was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

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

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

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

The local medical examiner and state pathologist were notified.

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

Police have appealed for anyone with information or dashcam footage who was near Castleview Park or adjacent roads between 7pm and 8pm local time on Saturday to contact them.

Local Independent Irish councilor Fergus McDonnell said the whole community was “absolutely devastated”.

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

“The families are ordinary, down-to-earth people, hard-working, and it’s unreal that something like this could happen.”

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

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

“This is truly heartbreaking and devastating news.”