'Some lives, like the cherry blossom, shine with a beauty beyond their years' - mother's tribute for firebomb victim Tadgh Farrell

""He was only four." The writing on the single white balloon among the long stretch of flowers, candles and teddy bears laid along the garden wall said all that needed to be said about the death of Tadgh Farrell. Behind that wall in Castleview Park in Edenderry, Co Offaly, the house where Tadgh died with his grand-aunt Mary Holt last Saturday stood scorched from the flames of the petrol bomb that was thrown through the living room window."

"The funeral of Tadgh (4), who was killed in an arson attack in Co Offaly along with his grand-aunt, heard emotional recollections from family members"

Family members delivered emotional recollections at the funeral of four-year-old Tadgh Farrell, who died alongside his grand-aunt Mary Holt in an arson attack. Mourners left flowers, candles, teddy bears and a single white balloon inscribed "He was only four" along a garden wall in Castleview Park, Edenderry, Co Offaly. The house where they died stood scorched after a petrol bomb was thrown through the living-room window. The attack occurred last Saturday. Neighbors and emergency services responded, and investigators are examining the cause and circumstances of the arson.

Read at Irish Independent