Father of Tadgh Farrell apologises for 'mistakes'
A 27-year-old Offaly man whose son was killed in a petrol bomb attack in Edenderry last month has apologised for the "significant mistakes" he has made over the years, telling a judge he now understands the impact they are having on him and his family.
At a sentencing hearing at Tullamore Circuit court today, Aaron Holt, of Castleview Park, Edenderry, provided a two-page handwritten letter to Judge Keenan Johnson, in which he referred to the recent deaths of his son and his grand-aunt, as being "the most painful period" of his life.
Aaron Holt's 4-year-old son Tadhg Farrell and Tadhg's grandaunt Mary Holt, 60, were killed in a petrol bomb attack at a house in Castleview Park in Edenderry, Co Offaly on 6 December last. His mother remains in hospital.
The 27-year-old has pleaded guilty to possession of over €32,000 worth of heroin for sale or supply near his home in Edenderry in May 2024.
At a sentencing hearing today, defence barrister Seoirse O'Dunlaing SC told the court that Mr Holt had not been able to attend his son's funeral and what had happened in December had hit him like a train coming down the tracks.
Mr O'Dunlaing said it had caused Mr Holt to seriously reflect on his own life and he now understands the impact that the significant mistakes he made over years are having on him and his family.
Garda Trevor Mullins of Edenderry Garda Station outlined to the court the CCTV showed Shane O'Neill, Holt's co-accused, retrieve a black bag from a laneway near Castleview Park on 8 May 2024.
O'Neill, with an address at Killane Court, Edenderry, has also pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply.
Prosecuting Shane Geraghty BL told the court that Shane O'Neill was observed visiting Aaron Holt's house after retrieving the black bag from the laneway.
CCTV footage showed O'Neill leaving the house and placing the bag back in the laneway.
Garda Trevor Mullins told the court that the bag was later seized by gardai, and it contained over €32,000 worth of heroin.
Footage showed both men looking for the bag the following day and a message found on Holt's phone: "there will be war boys".
Garda Mullins said the following day searches took place at both men's houses in Edenderry, during which drugs paraphernalia, a drugs tick list and phones were seized.
The court heard both men had been messaging each other on the TikTok social media app.
In one message Holt messaged O'Neill saying: "Please bring gear to me, I'll give you 5p".
Tullamore Circuit Court heard how Aaron Holt has 59 previous convictions and hasn't been in employment since he was 18.
The court also heard Shane O'Neill, who is in employment, has no previous convictions.
Judge Keenan Johnson said the information heard today was too serious and needed to be considered.
He said it was an example of the scourge of illicit drugs in society and the enormous knock-on effects, both criminally and socially.
He adjourned sentencing of both men until January 27th.
