'Shock, and a collective anger' - Locals tell of horror over arson attack that claimed two lives
The sense of shock in Edenderry remains overwhelmingThe sense of shock in Edenderry remains overwhelming, with locals still trying to process the devastation caused by the fatal arson attack that claimed the lives of four-year-old Tadgh Farrell and his 60-year-old grandaunt Mary Holt.Edenderry local Cllr Claire Murray-Smale said the words ‘shock’ and ‘anger’ are resonating throughout the community, describing emotions as “still so raw.”Cllr Murray-Smale added that residents of Castleview are struggling to comprehend the horror of what has happened.“It’s still so raw. People are shocked. You can’t underestimate how that word shock is ringing around the community," Cllr Murray-Smale told Irish Mirror on Monday at the scene of the devastating firebomb attack in Castleview Park estate in the Offaly town.Cllr Murray-Smale said residents of Castleview are struggling to comprehend the horror of what has happened.“People can’t believe that a four-year-old boy who was running around his house only a few days ago is now deceased in such horrific circumstances,” she said.“The community is absolutely devastated. There’s a collective anger as well. Nobody should die in such horrific circumstances, especially such innocent people,” she said.Until late yesterday, the victims’ names were unconfirmed, but once identities and photographs were released the tragedy “hit even harder,” Cllr Murray-Smale said.Cllr Murray-Smale said Mary, who was a much-loved and long-serving carer at Ofalia House nursing home, had “given so much service to people in Edenderry”, including caring for the councillor’s own grandparents.“For someone who dedicated so much care and time to her community, for us not to be able to give that back to her is very hard to take,” she said. “Her loss will be felt hugely.”Mary’s grandnephew, four-year-old Tadgh, is also being mourned by siblings, friends and extended family left facing what the councillor described as “an unimaginable loss”.She said residents in Castleview Park estate, a well-established estate dating back to the 1970s, has been left reeling.“People in Castleview are very good people. They’ve lived here all their lives. They feel so shocked and so hurt by what’s happened in the last couple of days,” she said.A Remembrance Walk and Walk of Light Against Drugs, organised by Edenderry’s Derry Rovers, will take place at Brian’s Park running track on Wednesday at 8pm, organised to give residents a space to mourn together.“It’s important for people to grieve collectively,” she said. “It helps a little, but we’ll all feel this loss for many years to come.”Cllr Murray-Smale noted that some in the community have raised concerns about drugs, though she stressed she would not speculate during an active murder investigation.As a member of the Midland Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force, she said drug issues and intimidation affect towns and villages “across Ireland”, and support is available for those who need it.She urged anyone with information about the fire to contact Gardaí.“There is a confidential line if you’re reluctant to give your name. If you know anything about what happened on Saturday night, please report it.” Despite the heartbreak, she said Edenderry’s strength lies in its people.“This has put the town on the map for all the wrong reasons. But there are very, very good people here, and the community will stand together,” said Cllr Murray-Smale.Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the country is “numb” after the attack. Speaking this morning, the Taoiseach said: “All my thoughts are with the families.“This is a savage, callous and reckless attack on a family home that has led to their death and the level of inhumanity is difficult to comprehend.“This violence must stop in our society, those responsible for this criminal attack will be brought to justice and no effort will be spared by the gardai and by the state to ensure that happens.“We would ask everyone to cooperate with An Garda Siochana and anyone who has any information at all should give that information.” Mr Martin added: “The country is numb, shocked at this level of savage violence.“It’s a major challenge, this is not the first attack in recent times that we have witnessed an accelerate as the key weapon here which had obvious consequences in terms of a house going on fire.“We are determined to wipe it out and stop this, it’s an attack on society and a savage form of criminal activity. At a time like this, at Christmas time, to witness a young 4 year old and his grand aunt killed in this savage way is something all of us in society are shocked at.“We have to prevent these attacks from happening in the future and I know the minister for justice is very determined on this, we will be discussing this at cabinet level.”Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
