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Gardaí release getaway car details in murder inquiry

Gabija GataveckaiteBBC News NI Dublin correspondent
News imageAn Garda Síochána Composite image of Mary Holt (left) and Tadhg Farrell (right). Mary has shoulder-length blonde hair with fringe and brown eyes, wearing a white zip-up jacket and floral top. Tadhg has short brown hair and brown eyes, wearing a red and green pyjama top.An Garda Síochána
Mary Holt and Tadhg Farrell were killed in a house fire in County Offaly

Images of a getaway car used in an arson attack which killed two people have been released by gardaí (Irish police).

Tadhg Farrell, who was four, and his 60-year-old great-aunt Mary Holt died in the attack at a house in Castleview Park in Edenderry in County Offaly on 6 December.

Tadhg's grandmother is still being treated for serious burn injuries in hospital.

Gardaí have previously released CCTV footage of the attack and searched houses as part of the murder investigation.

The attack was widely condemned by politicians, while gardaí described it as a "reckless, callous and murderous attack on a family home".

A statement from An Garda Síochána (the Irish police service) said two men who carried out the attack left the scene in a black Kia Rio saloon,registration 08-D-24363.

The car was found burnt out at Tipper East, Naas, County Kildare in the early hours of 7 December.

Gardaí said any previous registered owners of the vehicle were not involved in any way.

News imageAn Garda Síochána A Black Kia Rio Saloon, with car registration number 08-D-24363, is parked beside some grass. The window on the side the driver's seat is down. The vehicle is parked on gravel with grass to the right of the image and a wooden fence painted pale blue on the edge of the frame.An Garda Síochána
Gardaí said two men who carried out the fatal arson attack left the scene in this vehicle.

Detectives want information about anybody who had access to the car between 7 October and 7 December and any knowledge of the whereabouts of the car from 1 December to 7 December.

They have also appealed for any CCTV or images of the car in Kildare, Laois, Offaly or surrounding areas from 1 December to 7 December.

CCTV was previously released as part of the investigation

The remains of Tadhg - who was visiting his grandmother at the time of the attack - and Ms Holt were discovered in the front room of the house where the fire was deliberately started.

Mourners at Tadhg's funeral Mass were told the four-year-old "filled hearts with a beauty, a light and a love that will never be swept away".

During the homily, Fr Gregory Corcoran said the young boy had been taken "in a way that makes no sense".

"We gather with broken hearts, carrying a grief that feels way too much."