Emotional vigil scenes as ‘fearing’ locals gather for Offaly double murder victims after ‘haunting’ arson attack
Although many expressed anger and grief, others told how they were angry at what had happened at the hands of criminals
HUNDREDS of devastated locals of the town where a young boy and his grandaunt were murdered in a horror arson attack gathered in solidarity against the thugs who robbed them of their lives.
The massive crowd turned out for the vigil at Brian’s Park in Edenderry, Offaly on Wednesday night after four-year-old Tadhg Farrell and Mary Holt, 60, were killed in a petrol bomb on Saturday night.
Tadhg’s granny Pauline Holt, aged in her 50s, was left with serious burn injuries and remains in hospital.
Residents held candles, said prayers before walking four laps of the track – which is located near the Holt home – in memory of little Tadhg.
Although many expressed anger and grief, others told how they were angry at what had happened at the hands of criminals.
On Saturday, a tractor run for charity was taking place in Edenderry in what was said to be “great occasion.”
But local woman Sharon Farrell told the Irish Sun: “But somewhere in the darkness there was evil. And that’s not what Edenderry is about.”
Ms Farrell added: “It’s just so sad.
“I think it’s great to get out into the community and let them know we’re still bigger than them.
“And we’ll always be bigger than them. I think everybody’s fearing them now – we shouldn’t have fear.”
Another local Amanda Cummins told how the whole incident was “haunting.”
She explained: “You can’t get it out of your head to think like what the poor little boy went through and poor Mary.
‘JUST INHUMANE’
“For this to happen, it’s just inhumane.”
She added: “It’s unbelievable to think that that was happening and to feel so helpless that there was nothing you could do.”
Tony Loughlan knew Mary Holt very well as he explained she had worked in a local nursing home for 40 years.
He said: “A local girl who worked in the nursing home from the day it opened.
‘VERY HARD TO GET OUT’
“To see her life gone now, after all the helping of old folks, is shocking.”
Tony explained that in the footage released by gardai, people believe it appears that the two criminals who carried the attack out were very young.
He added: “It’s very easy to get caught in and up with this thing, but it’s very hard to get out.”
A priest who led the prayers told the crowd: “We have lost Mary Holt at the age of 60, Tadhg Farrell at just four years of age.
‘TAKEN BEFORE THEIR ALLOTTED TIME’
“One who lived, some might say, a good number of years and one who had just started living a childhood.
“Both were taken before their allotted time on this earth and did not see the natural end to their days.”
He added: “The violent and unexpected and untimely ends of the lives among us make their passing even more tragic and sorrowful.”
The footage of the incident released earlier showed the moment the two thugs entered the garden of the home.
LOST LIFE BEFORE BIRTHDAY
One smashed the window with a bar before the other ignited the missile and fired in on top of Tadhg and Mary, who were in the front room of the Castleview Park property.
Tadhg tragically lost his life less than a month before his fifth birthday on New Year’s Day.
Detectives suspect the attack was ordered by a major organised crime gang from the Midlands.
The drug pushers are well-known to officers for their intimidation tactics and arson attacks.
GARDA PROBE
A person of interest in this case, who is aligned to the mob, was previously nabbed on his way to carry out a petrol bomb attack.
As revealed this week, the two responsible for the attack travelled to and from the scene in a Kia car.
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.
Both Mary and Pauline Holt had no involvement in crime.
PRISON ROW
However, Gardai suspect the incident is linked to a male known the family in his late 20s who is currently in prison for drug offences.
This man was involved in a minor row with a rival in the Midlands Prison a day before the incident.
A line of inquiry is that the row may have led to the arson being ordered.
Chief Superintendent Anthony Lonergan said: “I want to reassure the community here in Edenderry and throughout Laois and Offaly Division that I will ensure that An Garda Síochana is here to support you through this traumatic event, but also that An Garda Síochana 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.”
