RTÉGardaí (Irish police) 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, Edenderry, at 7:45 p.m. local time on Saturday.
A second woman, aged in her 50s, is in hospital with serious injuries.
Superintendent Liam Geraghty said gardaí “believe that the house was attacked by an unknown person or persons and that the fire was deliberately set”.
“This was a reckless, callous and murderous attack on a family home,” he said.
The house has been declared a crime scene and is being examined by the Garda Technical Bureau.
The local coroner’s office and state pathologist have been notified.
Gardaí said the remains of both deceased have been removed from the scene and post-mortem examinations will begin on Sunday afternoon.
Police appealed to anyone with information or who has dashcam footage who was in the vicinity of Castleview Park or adjacent roads between 7pm and 8pm local time on Saturday to contact them.
‘Heartbreaking and devastating’
Local Independent Ireland councilor Fergus McDonnell said the entire community was left “absolutely distraught”.
Speaking to Irish broadcaster RTÉ on Sunday, McDonnell said he personally knew the people who died.
“The families are everyday, hard-working people, and for something like this to happen is just unreal.”
RTÉIn a social media post, independent TD Carol Nolan said it was “very sad news” that people had lost their lives.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and community of Edenderry,” he said.
“This is truly heartbreaking and devastating news.”
