DPP must act on Offaly arson prosecution by end of July

Defence counsel tells Tullamore District Court matter is 'dragging on' with man accused of Edenderry offence in custody

Published 22nd Jun 2026, 15:00 BST Man appeared in court by video link from prison in connection with fatal house fire in Edenderry | Tribune Pictures Defence counsel tells Tullamore District Court matter is 'dragging on' with man accused of Edenderry offence in custody Sign up to our Offaly Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Offaly Live within your account.

INSTRUCTIONS are still awaited from the DPP in relation to a man who has been charged in connection with a fatal house fire in Edenderry.

Michael Dunne (22), with an address in Co Kildare, has been accused of committing two offences at 29 Castleview Park, Edenderry on December 6 last.

Mr Dunne, who appeared before Tullamore District Court by video link from Cloverhill Prison, is alleged to have broken the front window of 29 Castleview Park and intentionally causing a fire which created a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another, contrary to Section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

He is further charged with arson at the same property, contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act.

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Sergeant Richard Thornton applied to Judge Andrew Cody for a further remand in custody and said directions had not yet been received from the DPP.

Counsel for Mr Dunne said he understood it was a complex case but said the delay was not ideal.

Sergeant Thornton agreed it was a “complex file” and said there had been numerous other arrests.

Defence counsel said his client wasn't subject to the complexity of the investigation and time was passing.

He said the State should be making all efforts to bring the matter to a speedy conclusion and asked Judge Cody to mark the remand peremptory.

Judge Cody remanded Mr Dunne in custody to July 1 for DPP directions and on that date he would order that those direction be available before the end of the month.

Mr Dunne first remanded in custody when he appeared before the District Court on May 1. There was no application for bail and the judge ordered at the time that his full address not be published.

A four-year-old boy, Tadgh Farrell and his grand-aunt Mary Holt (60), died following a fire at 29 Castleview Park on December 6, 2025.

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