Laois Offaly Gardaí make new arrest arising from assault in jail in Portlaoise

Laois Offaly Serious Crime Unit Gardaí have made a fifth arrest arising from an alleged assault in one of Portlaoise's jails.

Garda HQ issued an update on its investigation into an assault causing harm in Portlaoise on December 6.

"This morning, Tuesday 16th December 2025, investigating Gardaí from the Serious Crime Unit, Laois/Offaly Garda Division arrested a man aged in his 20s at the Midlands Prison, Portlaoise.

"He is currently being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in the Eastern Region," said that statement issued to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

The arrest follows on from the arrests of four men in relation to the same incident at the Laois jail. The four men were arrested on the morning of December 12 by Gardaí of the Serious Crime Unit. The four were aged in their 20s and 30s.

The four, who were detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at Garda Stations in the Garda Eastern Region, were released later that day.

Meanwhile, Gardaí are investigating all the circumstances of a fatal house fire at a house in Castleview Park, Edenderry on Saturday, December 6.

The Garda said they searched three homes in Co Kildare and Co Offaly on December 12 but were not releasing the results of these searches for operational reasons.

Gardaí said they continue to appeal to anybody with any information on the "violent fatal incident" to speak with investigating Gardaí.

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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.

Tadhg Farrell, aged 4, and his aunt Mary Holt died in the fire, which gardaí believe was started maliciously.