Waterford arson: coffins of English family arrive at church ahead of Monday funeral

Philip and Kim English and their sons Callum, 12, and Jayden, 9, were killed when their home was set ablaze on Tuesday. Mourners gathered for a balloon release and vigil at the Sacred Heart Church.

Hundreds mourn Waterford family killed in arson attack

The coffins of four members of the English family, killed in an arson attack in Waterford in the early hours of Tuesday morning, arrived at the Sacred Heart Church ahead of a funeral mass scheduled for Monday afternoon, The Sun reports. Philip English, his wife Kim, and their sons Callum, 12, and Jayden, nine, died after their home on Birch Avenue in the Birchwood estate was deliberately set alight.

Hundreds of pink and blue balloons were released shortly after 4:15pm on Wednesday in a green space metres from the scene of the fire. Many in the crowd cried out "We love ye" as the balloons rose, before breaking into applause. The song "You'll Never Walk Alone" then played as relatives and friends held one another, struggling to contain their grief. Philip's elderly father was visibly distraught and was supported by other family members throughout the gathering.

The large crowd subsequently made their way to the Sacred Heart Church for a vigil. Devastated mourners filled the building. Fr Gerry Chestnutt, the parish priest, lit two large candles and two smaller ones to represent each of the four lives lost. The candles were positioned behind a photograph of the family smiling, which Fr Chestnutt said had been displayed in the family home — and should remain there, not at their vigil.

Speaking directly to those responsible for the attack, Fr Chestnutt said: "What happened in Birch Avenue yesterday should never ever have happened. An innocent family preparing for a new day. An innocent family taken from our midst in a most horrific and violent way. I want to say, even though they're not here, the persons responsible need to have the courage to stand up, admit what you did and face the consequences of what you did."

He also urged anyone with information to contact the Gardaí.

Reflecting on the family, Fr Chestnutt said Philip was "a great man to talk" and described Kim as "feisty" — adding quickly that he meant it as a compliment. Of the two boys, he said Callum was "a cheeky boy at times" and something of a "rogue" who kept school staff on their toes, but stressed that he was "loved". He described Jayden as "a beautiful young boy" and touched on the child's health struggles. Just two weeks before his death, Jayden had undergone heart surgery. The nine-year-old had been born with a heart condition and regularly travelled to Dublin for appointments, making use of the BUMBLEance, a dedicated children's ambulance service.

Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan addressed those gathered and said the full weight of the tragedy was beginning to sink in. "Today is an even worse day than yesterday in the sense that the reality of what has happened is settling in," he told mourners. "We cannot click our fingers and pretend that it didn't happen. It has happened, and it is utterly tragic and awful. This tragedy has affected a whole city and beyond."

Earlier on Wednesday, Philip's uncle James English — who also served as Callum's godfather — visited the Birchwood estate and was greeted warmly by locals as he approached the cordon. After viewing the front of the property, he appealed directly for those responsible to come forward. "Whoever done it, he better own up who done it," he said. Regarding the wider family's condition, Mr English said they were "not too good", and confirmed that two other children who had been fighting for their lives remained in a serious state. "At the end of the day, we have a lot of the family wiped out. Please, whoever done it. Own up, be a man," he added.

Philip's former wife, Ann English, also attended the scene. "We were one big happy family — all of us," she said. "I just have no words." Ann described feeling "numb" since learning of the deaths and said that all of Philip's 14 children from various relationships had been raised together. "We're all just shocked. I have no words; I'm in disbelief. The kids were their life. It's a devastating loss for everybody."

Throughout the day, a steady stream of people arrived to lay flowers at the scene. Many were handed to Gardaí manning the outer cordon, who brought them to the front of the house. Among those paying their respects was Caroline Douris, principal of Scoil Lorcáin, the school where Callum had been a pupil, accompanied by colleagues. She described him as "a lovely young fella". Ms Douris confirmed that the National Educational Psychological Service is working with the school, with psychological support being offered to both students and parents.

Source: The Sun