Chilling moment two thugs fire petrol bomb into Offaly house in ‘callous’ attack that killed boy, 4, and grandaunt, 60
The Irish Sun has learned Tadhg tragically lost his life less than a month before his fifth birthday on New Year’s Day
SHOCKING CCTV shows the moment two thugs target a home in a petrol bomb attack which claimed the lives of a little four-year-old boy and his grandaunt.
The footage, released by the gardai this evening, reveals how one of the two men broke the front window of the house in Edenderry, Co Offaly before the other ignited the petrol bomb and threw it in on Saturday evening.
Little Tadhg Farrell and his grandaunt Mary Colt, 60, were in the room at the time and were killed in what the gardai described as a “reckless, callous and murderous attack”.
Detectives who are hunting for the pair suspect the thug who lit the petrol bomb may have possible burns to his hands.
Tadhg’s granny Pauline, who was minding the child with her sister at the home, was in another part of the house at the time and tried to get to them, however the fire was too strong.
Devastated Pauline – who remains in hospital being treated for serious burn injuries – was later heard screaming outside that ‘the child is in the house’ as she watched on while her home was engulfed in flames.
The Irish Sun has learned Tadhg tragically lost his life less than a month before his fifth birthday on New Year’s Day.
As revealed this week, the two unidentified thugs responsible travelled to and from the scene in a Kia car.
It had taken place less than two hours after a tractor run had begun in Edenderry at 6pm, attended by over 250 tractors raising money for local charitable causes.
Both Mary and Pauline Holt had no involvement in crime.
However, Gardai are investigating if the incident is linked to a rival of a male relative in his late 20s who is currently in prison for drug offences.
The pair are understood to have had a minor row in the Midlands Prison a day before the horror petrol bomb attack.
Gardai have yet to uncover any evidence that it is linked to that but it remains a line of inquiry.
Cops are also investigating if it is also could be linked to a wider dispute by a drug gang in the Midlands.
The gang, which operates in Kildare and Offaly, are well-known to cops for intimidation and arson attacks.
Since Saturday evening, the Garda investigation team has carried out over 150 investigative jobs, carried out over 250 house to house enquiries, retrieved over 60 pieces of CCTV and taken over 100 written documents.
GARDAI ‘DETERMINED’
Gardai in the Laois and Offaly Serious Crime Unit are leading the probe and are being supported by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda Síochána Analysis Service and other National Units.
Speaking today Chief Superintendent Anthony Lonergan said: “I want to reassure the community here in Edenderry and throughout Laois/Offaly Division that I will ensure that An Garda Síochána is here to support you through this traumatic event, but also that An Garda Síochána is determined, and will identify all those responsible for the deaths of Tadhg and Mary and bring them before the courts.
“I appeal directly 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.”
‘FAMILY AND FRIENDS HEARTBROKEN’
Gardai say family liaison officers continue to work with and support the families of Tadhg and Mary as they prepare for family funerals.
Death notices for both Tadhg and Mary were published today.
Tadhg’s notice read: “Tadgh’s sudden and tragic passing has left his family and friends heartbroken.
“Softly held in the arms of angels he will be forever missed and remembered by his loving family: mother Shannon, dad Aaron, grandmothers Karen and Pauline, granddad Richard, sisters Ella Brooke, Heidi Lee and Nevaeh, great-grandmother Marian, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and friends. Fly with the Angels.”
‘SADLY MISSED AND FOREVER REMEMBERED’
Mary’s read: “Predeceased by her parents Micháel and Peg, sister Caroline and brother-in-law Pat. Mary’s tragic passing has left her family, friends & work colleagues in Ofalia House devastated and heartbroken.
“She will be sadly missed and forever remembered by her loving family: brothers and sisters Michael, Johnny, Margaret, Christy, Declan, Pauline and Brendan, their husbands, wives and partners, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, relatives, friends and especially her work colleagues in Ofalia House, Edenderry.”
A vigil for the boy, his grandaunt and wider grieving family, is taking place tonight on the grounds of Brian’s Park in Edenderry.
Organised by Derry Rovers AFC, it said it was holding it “as a stance against the drugs scourge in our community and the loss of an innocent child.”
A statement added: “The news that broke last weekend of the tragedy that has shook the town of Edenderry to its core and is a town still reeling in shock as it comes to terms with the scale of the sad loss of lives in the fire at Castleview Park.”
