Funeral removal held for four English family members killed in Waterford arson attack
The remains of Philip, Kim, Callum and Jayden English arrived at Sacred Heart Church on Sunday ahead of a joint funeral Mass on Monday at 1pm.
Four coffins received at Sacred Heart Church as Waterford mourns arson victims
According to the Irish Independent, four coffins — two small white caskets flanked by two larger ones — were rested at the entrance to a parish centre in Waterford on Sunday evening, as hundreds of mourners lined the streets to pay their respects to the English family.
Philip and Kim English and their sons Callum (12) and Jayden (9) were killed when their home in the Birchwood estate was set alight on Tuesday. Their remains arrived at the Sacred Heart Church aboard four separate hearses, with a Waterford flag, the Irish Tricolour and a Liverpool FC jersey draped across the coffins.
Players from Johnville Football Club, where Callum had played, formed a solemn guard of honour outside the church, dressed in their black and yellow club jerseys. The club has decided to permanently retire the number five jersey in his honour. Young members of the club sat on a low wall outside the parish centre as they waited to go in and pay their respects.
Inside the church, a photograph of the English family was placed on a table alongside two large and two small candles. Parish priest Fr Gerry Chestnutt blessed each of the coffins in turn before the remains were moved to an adjoining room in the parish centre, where the removal began shortly after 2pm.
Some members of the local community who were too upset to enter chose instead to sign the condolence book at the church, light candles, or sit in silent prayer. Fr Chestnutt and Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan of the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore spoke with groups outside the centre.
A joint funeral Mass is due to take place at the Sacred Heart Church on Monday at 1pm, followed by burial at Kilbarry Cemetery. Mourners have been asked to make a donation to Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin in lieu of flowers. Two other children, aged six and 14, remain in a critical condition at that hospital following the attack. The six-year-old, Elliot English, became the fifth victim of the incident after dying in hospital.
Two people have appeared in court in connection with the attack. Cian Stacey (21) and Jessica Dalton (31) appeared at a special sitting of Clonmel District Court on Saturday, each charged with one count of criminal damage and two counts of assault causing serious harm. Both were remanded in custody to appear before Waterford District Court on Tuesday.
Philip English was predeceased by his mother Bridget, his daughter Rachael and his sister Catherine. He is survived by 11 children, his father Paddy, five siblings and grandchildren. His ex-wife Anne English was among those present at the removal on Sunday. Kim English, née Companjen, who grew up in Courtmacsherry, Co Cork, was predeceased by her mother Joke Voets. She is survived by her children, stepchildren, her father Richard, stepmother Teresa, stepfather Marc Voets and six siblings.
A number of businesses in Waterford are to remain closed on Monday as a mark of respect to the family.
Source: Irish Independent