Offaly TD Demands Stronger Garda Presence In Edenderry

It follows a tragic firebomb incident last Saturday.

"Criminals do not operate on office hours and safety should not either." 

Those the words of an Offaly TD who is pushing for an increased policing presence in Edenderry following a tragic firebomb incident last Saturday. 

Fianna Fail's Tony McCormack is demanding that resources be put in place for the local Garda Station to operate 24 hours a day to reassure the community. 

He adds that the incident that claimed the lives of 60 year old Mary Holt and 4 year old Tadhg Farrell did not 'come from nowhere' and came down to how drugs are glamourised in the media. 

Deputy McCormack says it's a turning point for the town: 

Deputy Tony McCormack's speech in full:

"Minister, I rise today deeply saddened by the horrific murders that occurred in Edenderry on Saturday evening. Two innocent lives were taken, Mary Holt aged 60, and four year old Tadhg Farrell. I want to begin by paying my respects to Mary and to Tadhg. May they both rest in peace, and may their memory guide our response to this moment of darkness.

Minister, I visited the scene myself. It is something I will never forget.

A room once recently alive with an excited young heart, giddy with the joy of Christmas, toys imagined, stockings planned, innocence undisturbed,
now stands as a haunting reminder of a future robbed.

The silence was heavy. The air felt cold, carrying the memory of a terror no child should ever face.

The people of Edenderry are not just grieving. They are angry, heartbroken, traumatised and confused. And I firmly believe the true weight of this tragedy will fall most painfully when the town sees a tiny coffin, heartbreakingly small, carried to its final premature resting place. In that moment, the darkness of what has happened will become real in a way none of us ever wished to witness.

This did not come from nowhere. This is all down to drugs and the drug trade.

It is glamorised in music, film, social media and entertainment, portrayed as fast money, status, power and designer labels. Hard working people see individuals who never work a day, yet live with the trappings of wealth, and they ask themselves, what am I doing wrong.

Young people see this, and they believe it is success.

But the truth is not glamour. It is terror. It is drug debt .It is threats. It is children being groomed into criminality. It is soulless, selling misery, addiction and violence for profit.

It destroys families, businesses, relationships and hope. It underpins so many of the issues we debate in this chamber, housing, poverty, mental health, domestic abuse, crime and inequality.

And the raw reality of that world, without filters or fantasy, burnt a four year old child alive on Saturday. That is the cost. That is the truth.

Minister, while nothing can undo this tragedy, we can influence what happens next. I have complete confidence in the Gardaí. They will find those responsible. When they do, the full weight of the law must land heavily upon them. Justice must be seen, and justice must be felt.

But justice must also mean prevention. It must mean restoring confidence, protecting children and rebuilding peace.

Minister, I want to sincerely acknowledge the strong work being done by you and your department in Garda recruitment. It matters, and I thank you for it.

However, given what has happened in Edenderry, I am asking that you request the Garda Commissioner to examine the establishment of a dedicated task force for Edenderry, focused specifically on dismantling drug driven criminal activity. Not directing, but respectfully asking that it be considered.

Because people deserve protection in life, not only in law. They deserve peace in their homes and on their streets. They deserve the right to enjoy the simple things, like sitting in their own sitting room to watch television without fear.

We owe that to Mary. We owe it to little Tadhg. We owe it to every resident of Edenderry.

 

I want to acknowledge the wider trauma surrounding this event. Another woman remains in hospital with serious injuries.
Her life has been changed forever, and she will need support in ways we cannot yet measure.

I also want to acknowledge the first responders, the Gardaí, the paramedics and the emergency services who entered that scene.
They faced what most people could not. They acted with courage and humanity, and they deserve recognition and support for the trauma they now carry quietly on behalf of us all.

Neighbouring families are shaken. Children in the estate are frightened. Homes that should now be filled with Christmas excitement are instead filled with fear and unanswered questions no parent should ever have to answer.

Edenderry Garda Station does not operate 24 hours. Edenderry now needs reassurance through action A visible policing presence. Strengthened Garda numbers. Criminals do not operate on office hours. Safety should not either. I am asking that Edenderry Garda Station is considered to operate 24 hours a day.

Let this tragedy be the moment confidence is rebuilt in Edenderry, not the moment we simply mourn and move on. 

Thank you Minister.