IN COURT 

Man, 22, said ‘sorry’ after charged in connection with Offaly home fire that killed boy, 4, & grandaunt, court hears

A MAN told gardai he was “sorry” after being charged over a fire which claimed the lives of a four-year-old boy and his grandaunt, a court heard.

Michael Dunne, 22, is the first person to appear in court over the incident in Edenderry, Co Offaly in December last year which saw little Tadgh Farrell, four, and 60-year-old Mary Holt lose their lives.

Dunne, with an address in Kildare, was brought before Judge Andrew Coady at Tullamore District court this evening.

Detective Garda Tom Dunne took to the stand to give evidence of arrest, charge and caution.

He said the accused was charged at 1.08pm on Friday afternoon with two offences.

Dunne made no reply after the first charge of criminal damage by arson on December 6 last year.

But after being hit with the second rap of endangerment on the same date, Dunne said: “I’m sorry.”

His legal representatives made a request for an anonymity order to be granted for them.

The argument was made that they were a local legal team and would have “concerns” if they were named in relation to what was described as a “very contentious, dangerous, local feud”.

There was no objection from the State, however, Judge Coady refused the order, saying he had not come across such an application before.

He said it was not practicable or enforceable, as the solicitors would be back before the courts again in relation to the case when there would be around 200 people in the courthouse.

There was no application made for bail and Dunne was remanded in custody.

Dunne is due to appear before Tullamore District Court by video-link next Wednesday.

Four others were arrested as part of the major investigation earlier this week.

The three men and a teenage boy remain in custody being questioned.

Tadgh and Mary died in the blaze at the house in Castleview Park in Edenderry on December 6.

The little boy was visiting his granny, Pauline Holt, and grandaunt at the time of the incident.

Pauline suffered serious burn injuries in the incident but was released from the hospital following a lengthy period of treatment.

The investigation is being led by Tullamore gardai, who are being assisted by officers from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Source: https://www.thesun.ie/news/16901665/man-charged-offaly-house-fire-tadgh-farrell/