Gardaí commence murder investigation into fatal house at Castleview Park, Edenderry
An Garda Síochána have commenced a murder investigation into the circumstances of a fatal house fire at a residence in Castleview Park, Edenderry, yesterday evening, Saturday 6 December.
Emergency services, including Offaly Fire and Rescue Service, National Ambulance Service and gardaí responded to the fire shortly before 7.45pm.
The fire was extinguished and the remains of two persons, a woman aged 60 and a four-year-old boy, were discovered deceased.
A second woman, aged in her 50s, was transported from the scene by the National Ambulance Service and is receiving hospital treatment for serious injuries.
The house has been declared a crime scene and is currently subject to technical examination by the Garda Technical Bureau.
The offices of the Local Coroner and the State Pathologist have been notified.
The remains of both deceased have been removed from the scene and post-mortems will be carried out by the assistant state pathologist Margot Bolster at the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore this afternoon.
This murder investigation is being coordinated from an incident room at Tullamore Garda Station under the direction of a senior investigating officer.
A family liaison officer has been appointed to the families.
An Garda Síochána believe that the house was attacked by a person or persons unknown at this time, and that the fire was deliberately started. This was a reckless, callous and murderous attack on a family home, they said in a statement.
Gardaí in Offaly are appealing for any person with any information on the incident to speak with investigating gardaí.
Gardaí want to speak with any person who was in the vicinity of Castleview Park, or adjoining roads between 7pm and 8pm, yesterday Saturday 6 December to speak with investigating officers.
Gardaí want to speak with any person who was driving in the vicinity of Castleview Park, or adjoining roads between 7pm and 8pm, yesterday Saturday 6 December and who has dashcam video footage or images to contact 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.