Father of boy killed in Edenderry arson attack is jailed over heroin seizure
The father of a child who died in an arson attack on a home in Edenderry last month has been jailed for seven years following a significant drugs seizure.
Aaron Holt (27), with an address in Castleview Park, Edenderry, Co Offaly, appeared at Mullingar Circuit Court, where he faced sentence for the €33,000 seizure of heroin.
An arson attack on December 6 resulted in the deaths of his four-year-old son, Tadgh, and his aunt Mary Holt (60), and left his mother receiving hospital treatment.
Mr Holt previously pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of drugs to the value of €13,000 or more for sale or supply, following the seizure of €32,910 worth of heroin hidden near his home in May 2024.
His co-accused, Shane O'Neill (26), of Killane Court, Edenderry, was also jailed for 18 months, having pleaded guilty to a similar charge of possession of drugs for sale or supply.
That seizure resulted from CCTV surveillance, which showed Mr O'Neill hiding a plastic bag outside Mr Holt’s home. The bag was later seized by Gardaí and further CCTV footage showed Mr Holt and Mr O'Neill searching for it. The bag was found to contain 219g of heroin.
Detective Garda Joseph Bradley previously told the court he would place Mr Holt “front and centre” on the “pecking order” for the drugs trade in Edenderry, as he is “the principal supplier of illegal drugs in Edenderry and the surrounding areas”.
Judge Keenan Johnson imposed a sentence of eight years, suspending the final 12 months on the condition that he keeps the peace and is of good behaviour for a period of five years post-release. He is also to refrain from taking illicit drugs.
In his judgement, Judge Johnson noted that Mr Holt had received eight disciplinary sanctions while in prison, including failing a drugs test, and having a phone in his cell on two occasions.
He was assaulted in prison and was also unable to attend the funerals of his son and aunt due to his incarceration, Judge Johnson noted.
He sympathised with Mr Holt on his loss, however, he noted that the circumstances of those two deaths “illustrate the profound negative consequences of involvement in the drugs industry”.
He noted that Mr Holt did not have the trappings of wealth due to his own use of drugs, despite the fact that two “tick lists” showed he had a combined total of €163,770 to collect from those he supplied in his “sizeable operation”.
Mr Holt has 59 previous convictions, Judge Johnson noted, with over 50 committed on bail and 15 for drugs-related offences. He also has a history of 15 bench warrants dating back to 2017.
Mr O'Neill had no previous convictions and was less culpable in the offence, Judge Johnson noted.
His role was the movement of drugs and he was in possession of one of the tick lists. He received occasional payments of €20 or €50 for his involvement, as well as drugs to feed his own habit.
He has received residential treatment for his addictions and is no longer using drugs, Judge Johnson said. He is married and has ongoing support. He was also cooperative with Gardaí.
Judge Johnson imposed a sentence of two years and six months, suspending the final 12 months for a period of five years.
A destruction order was made for the drugs and paraphernalia at the request of Shane Geraghty BL, prosecuting, while a cash sum of €670 which was seized alongside the drugs is to be donated to the Acorn Project in Edenderry.