Waterford family murder: Drug debt intimidation a 'scourge' on communities, says minister

What happened in Waterford this week was not an isolated incident and many families are the victims of drug-related intimidation, says Helen McEntee

Helen McEntee: Arson attack was an 'absolutely appalling, vicious attack on a family who should still be with us today'. File picture: Brian Lawless/PA

Drug debt intimidation is a “scourge” on communities and questions must now be asked about whether more could have been done for the family killed in a Waterford arson attack, Helen McEntee has said.

The foreign affairs minister, who was taking Leaders' Questions in the Dáil on Thursday, also said that what happened in Waterford this week was “not an isolated incident” and many families are the victims of drug-related intimidation.

Philip and Kim English, 12-year-old Callum and nine-year-old Jayden, were all killed in their home in the Birchwood Estate in Waterford was firebombed in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Two other children Nadia, 14, and Elliot, 6, remain in critical condition in Crumlin Children’s Hospital.

John James English, Philip’s son from his first marriage, has now suggested that the arson attack was linked to a €20,000 drug debt. The debt had been accumulated by another person.

Speaking in the Dáil, Sinn Féin TD for Waterford David Cullinane said that Philip, Kim, Callum, and Jayden were “murdered in their own home”, and that they “should be alive” today.

He said the attack showed “utter contempt for human life” and those involved at any level must be held responsible.

However, Mr Cullinane told the Dáil that this incident was part of a wider nationwide problem, as he said that “drug-related intimidation must be confronted head-on”.

“Other families are looking out their front doors and wondering, ‘Could our children be next?’” he said.

“No family should have to put their children to bed wondering whether someone will set fire to their home before morning.

“Yet, drug gangs and organised criminals are inflicting precisely that terror on families. They threaten children, they assault people, they burn homes, they murder people, and they pursue parents, friends, and even neighbours for money.” 

Mr Cullinane said this cannot be referred to as “debt collection” as it is “violent criminality”.

He said that “every community has the right to live free from violence and harassment from organised crime”, and for the children to play outside.

Ms McEntee said the arson attack was an “absolutely appalling, vicious attack on a family who should still be with us today”.

She said it is not “debt collection” but is “violent criminality”.

“Debt collection, drug collection is an absolute scourge on our community,” Ms McEntee said.

“We all need to commit again here today to working together to try and stamp this out.” 

Ms McEntee said that “part of the problem” is that people feel they cannot go to the gardaí for help, and that it must be highlighted to people that they can seek help.

“Unfortunately, any type of an incident and any type of an attack or a murder like this has to raise the questions: Is there more that we can do? Is there more that could have been done?” she said.

“Are there actions that we can take from this that would prevent and would save somebody else's life? How do we then move as quickly to implement them?” 

Ms McEnttee said that any resources required by gardaí investigating the fire in Waterford will be provided, including the Criminal Assets Bureau.