Four in custody over fatal Edenderry fire

Three men and a teenage boy were in garda custody as part of an investigation into the fatal house fire in Co Offaly in which a woman and child died.

Four-year-old Tadhg Farrell and his great aunt Mary Holt were killed in the blaze in Castleview Park, Edenderry, on December 6.

On Tuesday, gardai said they had arrested three men – two aged in their 20s and one in his 30s.

Later that evening, they said they had also arrested a teenage boy.

All four were being detained at garda stations in the midlands under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 late on Tuesday.

Gardai said investigations were ongoing.

The child had been visiting his grandmother and great aunt when the home was attacked shortly before 7.45pm.

Investigators previously released CCTV footage of the attack that appeared to show two hooded individuals smashing a window before setting an object on fire and throwing it into the property.

The incident in December drew political attention and prompted locals to hold a vigil for the victims.