Gardaí have confirmed that a woman in her 60s and a young boy have died as a result of a house fire in Offaly on Saturday evening.
Gardaí are currently investigating all the circumstances of the fire, which occurred at a domestic residence in Castleview Park, Edenderry at approximately 7.45pm on Saturday, December 6.
A woman in her 50s was also seriously injured in the fire and is receiving treatment at a hospital in the Midlands.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the incident to come forward.
More pictures from the scene
A Garda statement read: “An Garda Síochána has commenced a murder investigation into all the circumstances of a fatal house fire that occurred at a domestic residence in Castleview Park, Edenderry, Co. Offaly on the evening of Saturday 6th December, 2025.
“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 4-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 office 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, commencing 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 believes 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.
“Gardaí in Offaly are appealing for any person with any information on this fatal 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 7.00pm and 8.00pm, yesterday Saturday 6th December 2025 to speak with investigating Gardaí.
“Gardaí want to speak with any person who was driving in the vicinity of Castleview Park, or adjoining roads between 7.00pm and 8.00pm, yesterday Saturday 6th December 2025 and who may have any 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.”
12:39
Pictures from the scene
‘Just heartbreaking and devastating’
Independent TD for the Offaly constituency Carol Nolan has expressed her sadness that two lives have been lost in the fatal house fire in Castleview Park in Edenderry.
“Very sad news relating to house fire in Edenderry, it is now being reported that people have lost their lives. My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and community.
“This is just heartbreaking and devastating news,” Deputy Nolan wrote on social media.
10:27
Community in shock at ‘dreadful and horrendous’ tragedy
Edenderry County Councillor Fergus McDonnell has spoken of the shock and sadness around the community following the fatal fire at a domestic residence in Castleview Park that claimed two lives.
A woman aged in her 60s and a young boy were fatally injured while a second female, aged in her 50s, is receiving treatment for serious injuries at a hospital in the midlands.
Speaking to the Irish Mirror on Sunday morning, Cllr McDonnell said the local community is in shock.
“It’s dreadful and horrendous that two lives, a woman and a young boy, have been lost in the house fire,” said Cllr McDonnell.
“Everyone is in shock and it is beyond belief,” he said, adding his thoughts are with the deceased’s family and the injured woman.
10:09
Garda statement in full
An Garda Síochána issued a statement on Sunday morning confirming the deaths of a woman and a young boy in the fire.
The statement reads: “An Garda Síochána are currently investigating all the circumstances of a fatal house fire that occurred at a domestic residence in Castleview Park, Edenderry, Co. Offaly on the evening of Saturday 6th December, 2025 at approximately 7.45pm.
“An Garda Síochána can confirm two fatalities as a result of this house fire.
“A female, aged 60 years and a young boy were fatally injured.
“A second female, aged in her 50s is receiving treatment for serious injuries at a hospital in the Midlands.
“Gardaí in Tullamore are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
“Investigations ongoing and further updates will follow.”
