Gardaí raid homes as tributes paid to Waterford family members killed in firebomb attack
Callum English, who died alongside his parents Philip and Kim English and brother Jayden following an arson attack on their home in Waterford. Picture credit: Johnville FC
Gardaí conducted a number of searches in Waterford on Tuesday night as part of their investigation into the murders of a family at a housing estate just outside the city.
Couple Philip and Kim English died alongside their sons Callum and Jayden when their house on the Birchwood estate was firebombed.
Two other children are still in a critical condition in hospital in Dublin.
Gardaí are investigating whether the arson attack is connected to a drug debt.
The investigation team is examining information that Mr English may have taken on an alleged drug debt on behalf of someone close to him, which may be linked to the attack.
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Tuesday's attack followed a series of incidents that left the family living in fear for their lives.
As reported by the Irish Examiner , the family had repeatedly tried to be rehoused and local representatives had also tried to help them.
Shortly after the attack, gardaí announced they had launched a murder inquiry and the family home was a crime scene.
It remains cordoned off as gardaí continue their investigation into what the justice minister Jim O’Callaghan has described as a “heinous act”.
A number of addresses in Waterford were raided on Tuesday night by detectives backed by armed garda units.
There have been no arrests so far.
Gardaí are due to issue a statement on Wednesday morning on the condition of the two surviving English children.
Philip English’s sister Jackie Englishpaid tribute to her brother, his wife and their two sons, who she dubbed her “besties”.
“Heartbroken is an understatement,” she said in a post on Facebook on Tuesday night.
“Rest in peace my brother Philip, my sister-in-law Kim and my two little besties Callum and Jayden.
‘I will never forget ye, my loves.
“Kim, you were an amazing mammy. You lived for your kids.”
She then asked everyone to pray for Philip and Kim’s two other children in a critical condition in hospital in Dublin.
A prayer vigil for them takes place at 5pm on Wednesday in Waterford city’s Sacred Heart Church.
Also on Tuesday, the football club where Callum played paid a heartfelt tribute to him.
Johnville FC took to Facebook last night to say they are “absolutely heartbroken and devastated” by what happened to him and his family.
He had been with the club for five years, starting out in its academy before progressing through its underage teams from U11 to U14.
Their statement read: “Kim and Philip were familiar and friendly faces around our club, always there supporting Callum at his matches.
“It is incredibly difficult to comprehend that a family we knew so well has been taken from us in such tragic circumstances.
He was part of our U11 team that proudly won the league two seasons ago.
“All his team mates and coaches are absolutely devastated by the news, this pain of this tragedy will take a long time to heal.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with all the family, their relatives and friends following this unimaginable loss.
“We are also thinking of those who are still fighting for their lives in hospital, and we sincerely hope they can pull through.” They added: “We would appeal to anyone who may have information that could assist gardaí with their investigation to please come forward and contact the authorities. Any information, no matter how small it may seem, could be important.”
They also posted the link to the GoFundMe page, which was set up to raise funds for funeral expenses.
By 1am on Wednesday morning, it had raised €22,085 of a €24,000 target from more than 860 donations.
Organiser Shannon Brazil set it up for Philip’s sister Jackie English after “an unimaginable tragedy that has devastated our family”.
She said: “There are no words to describe the heartbreak of losing four precious lives in such devastating circumstances.
“As our family tries to come to terms with this heartbreaking loss, we are faced with the task of arranging four funerals.
“Tragically, two other siblings are also currently in hospital in critical condition.
“Our family is enduring an incredibly difficult time, holding on to hope for those still fighting while trying to process the devastating loss of our loved ones.”
She added; “We have created this GoFundMe to help ease the financial burden of funeral expenses during this heartbreaking time.
“All money raised will go directly to Paddy, the children’s grandfather, to help cover these costs and support the family through the days and weeks ahead.
“We know times are difficult for everyone, and we are truly grateful for any support people can offer.
“No donation is too small, and if you are unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser would mean just as much to us.”
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