Six-year-old Waterford arson victim had survived heart surgery weeks before his death
Jayden English, 6, died in an arson attack on his family home in Waterford, weeks after heart surgery. His parents and brother also perished in the blaze.
Six-year-old Waterford arson victim had survived heart surgery weeks before his death
Jayden English, six years old, who died alongside his parents and older brother in an arson attack on the family home in Waterford city, had undergone heart surgery just two weeks before his death, the Irish Independent reports.
Philip and Kim English, and their 12-year-old son Callum, also died in the blaze at the Birchwood Estate. Two other children in the house at the time were taken to hospital with critical injuries.
Jayden had been born with a heart condition and regularly attended hospital appointments in Dublin, travelling via BUMBLEance, Ireland's dedicated children's ambulance service. Áine Phelan, a Waterford-based paramedic who had previously worked with the service, said she had the "absolute privilege" of travelling on ambulance journeys with Jayden. She said she was trying to comprehend what had happened and that her thoughts were with the family in the "sad, sad days ahead."
Una Quish from Limerick, a friend of the English family, told RTÉ's News at One that she first met Jayden and his parents at CHI Crumlin hospital in Dublin nine years ago, when both her son Noah and Jayden were undergoing heart-related treatment. "Our two boys were having surgery around the same time and that's when we met the family," she said. "We met them once since but we always stayed in contact, always getting advice off each other about upcoming hospital stays."
Ms Quish said Kim English had contacted her just weeks earlier seeking advice ahead of Jayden's upcoming appointment. "That was the last time I had heard from her." She learned of the fire through social media. "It did come as quite a shock. Very upsetting to see, knowing that you knew the family and the kids, and the background and everything that they had been through."
She described Kim as a devoted mother who was "always advocating for Jayden" and kept going despite the family's difficult circumstances. "Poor little Jayden had it tough as well. I think it's absolutely shocking what has happened, nobody deserves that."
Callum played for Johnville FC and was part of the under-11 team that won a league trophy two years ago. His coach, Alex O'Sullivan, speaking on RTÉ's Today with David McCullagh, described the 12-year-old as a boy who was "always standing out from the rest," with a smile on his face, working hard on and off the pitch and looking out for his teammates. His parents, O'Sullivan said, "were always there, supporting Callum and his teammates" and "did not miss a day at the club."
The principal of Scoil Lorcáin, where Callum was a pupil, described him as a "lovely young fella." Caroline Douris was speaking as she and colleagues laid flowers outside the family's home. She said the National Educational Psychological Service is working with the school to provide support for students and parents. "We will get together as a school community tomorrow morning to give as much support as we can to the boys," she said, appealing for privacy and urging people to let "kids just be kids."
The principal of Presentation Secondary School in Waterford, Sally Ronayne, also confirmed that supports were being put in place for students and staff. "As a school, obviously our priorities lie with the wellbeing of our students at this time," she said. Ronayne noted the school had received a derogation regarding industrial action and would remain open for anyone in the community needing assistance or advice. She extended the school's "deepest sympathies and prayers" to the English family, their neighbours, friends and relatives, as well as emergency first responders. "We pray especially for the two surviving children who are receiving treatment for their injuries at this time."
A prayer vigil took place in Waterford city at the Sacred Heart Church, The Folly, at 5pm. The Diocese of Waterford and Lismore invited residents to "come together in prayer for those who have lost their lives, their grieving families and loved ones and all those affected by this terrible tragedy."
President Catherine Connolly expressed shock at the deaths and offered her condolences. In a statement, she described the attack as "appalling" and said her thoughts were with the two children currently receiving hospital treatment.
Source: Irish Independent