The funeral of four-year-old Tadgh took place in Edenderry, Co Offaly on Friday morning
14:21, 12 Dec 2025Updated 14:21, 12 Dec 2025
(Image: Colin Keegan, Collins, Dublin)
Heartbroken mourners at the funeral of four-year-old Tadgh Farrell heard how he had ‘a smile that could light any room, and a laugh that made even the heaviest days lighter.’ Little Tadgh and his grandaunt Mary Holt, 60, were killed when two hooded thugs smashed the window of a downstairs room of the house in Castleview Park estate in Edenderry, Co Offaly and threw the firebomb inside last Saturday evening, December
Innocent Tadgh was staying over at the house to watch the ‘Late Late Toy Show’ with his grandaunt Mary and grandmother Pauline Holt, who remains in hospital with serious burn injuries. Gardai launched a murder investigation on Sunday and described the attack as a ‘reckless, callous and murderous act.’
Mary Holt, 60, and little four-year-old Tadhg Farrell
There were heartbreaking scenes in Edenderry on Friday morning as hundreds of mourners lined the Main Street as Tadgh’s funeral cortege arrived at St Mary’s Church escorted by two motorbikes. Mourners followed closely behind including Tadgh’s heartbroken mum Shannon, sisters Ella Brooke, Heidi Lee and Nevaeh as well as extended family members and friends.
In heartbreaking scenes, Tadgh’s tiny white coffin was carried to the altar where a framed photo of the four-year-old boy with a beaming smile was placed on top of it along with a teddy bear. A large photograph of Tadgh surrounded with blue and white flowers was placed at the front of the coffin.
On behalf of Tadgh’s mother Shannon, Fr Gregory Corcoran read out a heartfelt tribute to the four-year-old boy. “My sweet Tadgh, you were only four years old, but you filled a lifetime’s worth of love into those years.
(Image: Colin Keegan, Collins, Dublin)
“You had a smile that could light any room, a laugh that made even the heaviest days lighter, and a spirit so bright that everyone who met you felt it. You taught us what joy really looked like. You taught us what love really feels like. You taught us how precious every moment can be.
“I love you Tadgh. Rest gently, my sweet little boy, my only boy. I will find you in every bit of sunshine, your loving mother, Shannon.” In honour and in memory of Tadgh, Fr Gregory Corcoran also read out a tribute on behalf of Tadgh’s Nanny Farrell, entitled ‘My grandson baby Tadgh’.
“I will forever think of the little things with you, like when you would say, ‘I love you Nanny’ and I would say, ‘I love you.’ And we would laugh and say ‘What harm are you doing now Tadgh’ and five minutes later you’re up to mischief again. Love and lots of love, Nanny.”
Fr Corcoran also read out a heartfelt tribute on behalf of Tadgh’s uncle Dylan. “He had a way of making people smile, through his laughter, his kindness or simply the way he showed up in the world,” said Fr Corcoran on behalf of Dylan.
(Image: Colin Keegan, Collins, Dublin)
“One thing everybody knew about Tadgh was how much he loved dirt bikes. The boy could talk about bikes for hours and I can’t even count how many times he came to me pestering and pleading to open the shed.
“And every single time he just wanted to see the bikes, touch them, fix them, learn about them. Losing you has left a space in our lives that nothing can fill. Today we say goodbye to Tadgh far too soon. But we also say thank you Tadgh for the memories, thank you for the laughter and thank you for the love you gave without even realising it. Tadgh, we will carry you with us always. May you rest in peace.”My little man, my best friend, my nephew, Tadgh. Today, tomorrow, and always, from your uncle Dylan.”
A candle on the altar was lit on behalf of the entire Edenderry community to remember Tadgh and his grandaunt Mary Holt who also died in the horror petrol bomb attack on the house they were in.
Tadgh’s granny Pauline Holt, who was also in the house at the time of the horror incident, and remains in hospital with serious injuries, was also remembered at the Mass during the Prayers of the Faithful where prayers were said that she makes a full recovery.
In his homily, Fr Corcoran said “There are times when words are useless. Today is one of those times. We gather with broken hearts, carrying a grief that feels way too much.
Tadgh Farrell(Image: RIP.ie)
“We are here because a beautiful little boy Tadgh – so young, so full of life – has been taken from us in a way that makes no sense. And so we stand together, not to explain, but to hold one another, to pray, and to place Tadgh gently into the hands of God.
“Tadgh was born in June 2021 in the middle of Covid,” said Fr Corcoran. “As Tadgh was carried in his mother’s womb, the cherry blossom trees outside of the church, indeed throughout the countryside, were in full bloom. The world seemed alive and beautiful.
“For a moment everything feels right. But within a day or two, the winds come. The blossoms that looked so perfect, so full of promise, are scattered. Gone far too soon,” said Fr Corcoran.
“And even though we know this is how cherry blossoms are, we still find ourselves disappointed, asking “Why so soon? Why so quickly?
“Today, as we gather heartbroken, that image speaks to us. Some lives, like the cherry blossom, shine with a beauty beyond their years. They bring colour, joy, and wonder, simply by being. Their presence, even for a short time, changes the landscape of our lives.
“And when they are gone too soon, we feel the same shock, the same ache, the same sense of, “It wasn’t long enough…we weren’t ready to let go.”
“But the cherry blossom teaches us something important too. Its beauty is not measured by its length, but by its intensity by the joy it brings while it is here.
“In the same way, Tadgh – so young, so precious – filled hearts with a beauty, a light, and a love that will never be swept away.
“The blossom disappears from the tree, but it leaves its mark on the season. Tadgh too has left a mark – on his family, his home, on our community – a mark that time or tragedy cannot erase.
“Even in our grief, even in this sorrow, we trust that this little blossom has been gathered gently by God who said, “Let the little children come to me. Lifted from the winds, held safely, lovingly, eternally.
“And though our hearts are broken, we carry Tadgh beauty with us, always,” said Fr Corcoran.
Following the Funeral Mass, family members brought Tadgh’s little white coffin across the road to St Mary’s Cemetery for burial. Tearful family members followed closely behind, carrying framed photos of Tadgh.
