BREAKING: Murder investigation launched into death of boy and woman in Midlands fire

Gardaí have commenced a murder investigation into all the circumstances of a fatal house fire that claimed the life of a woman and a young boy yesterday. 

The fire occurred at a house in Castleview Park, Edenderry, Co. Offaly on the evening of Saturday, December 6.

Emergency services, including Offaly Fire and Rescue Service, National Ambulance Service and Gardaí responded to the fire shortly before 7.45pm.

The fire was extinguished and the remains of two people, a woman aged 60 and a four-year-old boy, were discovered deceased.

A second woman, aged in her 50s, was transported from the scene by the National Ambulance Service and is receiving hospital treatment for serious injuries.

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.

Gardaí said 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.

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 6th December 2025 to speak with investigating Gardaí," Gardaí said in a statement this afternoon. 

Gardaí want to speak with anyone 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.