‘Four times around the track for four years of little Tadhg’s life’ – Hundreds walk together in Edenderry for candlelit vigil
Over 600 people gathered at Brian’s Park to mark the unbearable loss of four-year-old Tadhg Farrell and 60-year-old Mary Holt, who tragically died after a fire broke out at a house in Castleview Park in the town on Saturday night.
The attack is being linked to an organised criminal gang believed to be primarily based in counties Kildare, Offaly and Westmeath.
Crowds gathered at Derry Rovers grounds for a candlelit vigil in remembrance of the victims
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Derry Rovers AFC organised the vigil and said that the news has “shook the town of Edenderry to its core”, and that the vigil was being held to both remember the victims and as a stance against the drug scourge in the community.
Members of Edenderry community, family, friends, and supporters made their way around the pitch, as honorary chair of Derry Rovers Pat McBride said “four times around the track for four years of little Tadhg’s life”.
On the evening on the tragedy, many children across Edenderry attended the annual light up run at 6pm, with over 250 vehicles involved travelling through the townlands of Daingean, Croghan and Rhode, and raising money for local charitable causes.
Shortly before 7.45pm, the family home at Castleview Park was attacked.
Organisers of the Edenderry Light Up Run made their way around the track tonight after organising for Santa’s truck to visit the town and bring some cheer to the local children.
Group member Paddy Mangan spoke about hearing the news on Saturday night: “We didn’t know what was happening. We had seen and heard the sirens but we thought it was still some of the truck run that was coming back from doing laps.
“To see this today at the vigil just shows you the support that the town gives. We had the Santa Truck down at Edenderry GAA club today just to keep the spirits up for the rest of the children. We requested that it didn’t go down through the town.”
Tadhg Farrell was being babysat by his grandaunt Mary Holt (60)
Mr Mangan said that “every small town in Ireland is forgotten about” when it comes to garda resources.
“Naturally enough a lot of stuff happens in the big towns, but it’s also happening in all the smaller little areas. Even where I live in Johnstown Bridge, Enfield Garda Station is not open full time either, so you have to go to Leixlip,” he said.
Vice chair of Derry Rovers James Doyle said: “Edenderry won’t forget this for a long time. It’s devastating for the town, family, neighbours and friends.”
The funeral mass for Tadhg Farrell will take place on Friday, December 12 at noon in St. Mary’s Church, Edenderry, followed by burial in St Mary’s cemetery.
Tadhg’s sudden and tragic passing has left his family and friends heartbroken. His family said, he is now “softly held in the arms of angels he will be forever missed and remembered”.
Funeral arrangements for Mary Holt, who worked as a carer for over 40 years, will be announced later.
