It is understood the two men got into a physical fight in the Midlands prison on Friday
13:13, 08 Dec 2025Updated 13:43, 08 Dec 2025
Mary Holt, 60, and little four-year-old Tadgh Farrell
A prison bust-up is believed to have led to the horrific double murder of four year old Tadhg Farrell and his grandaunt Mary Holt.
And a prisoner has been transferred to an isolated cell in Portlaoise Prison – after he is suspected to have played a role in ordering the horrific fire at a house in Edenderry, Co Offaly, that led to the deaths of the Mary and Tadhg. Sources say the prisoner, who is on remand and has multiple other convictions, is suspected to have ordered the attack from behind bars after he got into a brutal scrap with another lag who is known to innocent Tadhg and Mary – the day before the firebomb attack.
It is understood the two men got into a physical fight in the Midlands Prison on Friday – and that following the incident the other prisoner played a role in ordering the fire attack on the house on Saturday.
Amid those suspicions the prisoner was transferred over to the weekend to the country’s maximum security prison – Portlaoise Prison.
The scrap is also believed to be connected to a wider row about drugs – and it is feared the lag ordered the attack, intending to cause damage to the home connected to the man he was rowing with. It is understood prison authorities are working closely with investigating gardai on the case – and made the move to transfer the prisoner while officers continue to investigate.
A Garda carries flowers to the scene(Image: Colin Keegan/Collins)
It is understood prison bosses are keeping a close eye on the man, who is well known to gardai but is considered to be a relatively petty criminal. He is now being segregated from the general prison population. The prisoner who was moved sustained injuries from the scrap. It is feared the associate of young Tadhg initiated the bust up.
However Gardai suspect the man played a role in ordering the fire bomb attack that saw the innocent young child and his innocent grand aunt lose their lives in a horrific tragedy at a house in the Castleview Park estate. On Sunday gardai upgraded the investigation to one of murder.
Gardai believe the fire bomb was thrown at the house at around 7:45pm – and that the deceased were left trapped in a downstairs room. Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said on Monday it was a “murderous attack” that was “designed to kill” those living in the house. Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he confirmed one line of inquiry is that it was carried out by those involved in the drugs trade.
Gardai continue their investigations on Monday(Image: Colin Keegan/Collins)
He said: “It just confirms that drugs are destroying societies, and people who get involved in drugs need to know that they will wreak devastation, not just on themselves, but on those close to them and families in the area. This was an attack that was designed to kill the inhabitants.”
He added that gardaí will “relentlessly pursue the violent and dangerous criminals responsible for this murderous attack”. On Sunday, Supt Liam Geraghty said gardaí believe the house “was attacked” by one or a number of perpetrators and the fire deliberately started. He added it was “a reckless, callous and murderous attack on a family home”.
Gardaí have opened a double murder investigation, led by a senior investigating officer at Tullamore Garda station.
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