Emergency services, including Offaly Fire and Rescue Service, the National Ambulance Service and gardaí responded to a fire at a house in Castleview Park in Edenderry shortly before 7.45pm on Saturday.
The fire was put out and the remains of two people, a woman aged 60 and a four-year-old boy, were discovered.
They have been named as Mary Holt (60) and Tadhg Farrell (4).
A second woman, aged in her 50s, was taken from the scene and is receiving hospital treatment for serious injuries.
A garda spokesperson said: “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, December 6, 2025.
“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.”
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said he “strongly condemns the deliberate callous attack on a house in Edenderry, Offaly which sadly resulted in the loss of two lives including a young child”.
“There is no place in a civilised society for such heinous violence. I join An Garda Síochána in appealing to anyone with information to come forward,” he added.
Local councillor for Edenderry, Claire Murray-Smale, described the incident as a “horrific tragedy”.
The scene of a house fire in Edenderry, Co Offaly, where a woman and a young boy have died. Another woman is currently being treated in hospital following the blaze at the domestic residence on Saturday evening. Photo: Aisling Hyland/PA Wire
The Fianna Fáil councillor told the Irish Independent: “I would just like to offer my deepest condolences to all involved in what can be described as a horrific tragedy.
“Thanks also to the emergency services who attended the scene.
“The community will feel this loss for evermore.”
Meanwhile, Independent Edenderry Councillor Fergus McDonnell said he knew the family personally and passed on his deepest condolences to friends, families and neighbours of the deceased.
At the scene this morning, Mr McDonnell described the day as “horrendous” for the community, suffering from the “tragic loss of innocent life”.
“It’s something that doesn’t sit well with the area at all. Everyone is extremely shocked and disgusted,” Mr McDonnell said.
A garda community van set up at O’Connell Square, Edenderry. It will remain open this evening and tomorrow for locals to report any relevant information regarding the investigation.
Offaly TD John Clendennen described the news as “devastating” for the town.
Mr Clendennen said: “My thoughts and prayers are also with the woman currently receiving treatment in hospital, and I sincerely hope she makes a full recovery.
“My heartfelt sympathies go to the family, friends, neighbours, and all those affected by this awful incident. This is a deeply distressing tragedy for the entire community, made even more difficult as we approach Christmas and the festive season. My thoughts are with everyone grieving at this unimaginable time.”
The garda spokesperson added: “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 7pm and 8pm, yesterday Saturday, December 6, 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 7pm and 8pm, yesterday, Saturday, December 6, 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.”
