'Salt of the earth and lights in their community', funeral of Waterford family hears
Four hearses carrying the coffins of Philip and Kim English and their sons, Jayden and Callum, arrive at the Sacred Heart Church Parish Centre, The Folly, Waterford, on Sunday ahead of their funeral, after they died in an arson attack on their home in Waterford. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA
A family killed in an alleged arson attack has today been remembered as “a beautiful family who did no wrong to anybody”.
Mourners at the funeral of Philip and Kim English and their two sons Callum, aged 12, and Jayden, 9, heard they were “the salt of the earth and lights” in their community.
But, speaking at their requiem Mass at the Sacred Heart Church in Waterford city, parish priest Fr Gerry Chestnutt said they died as a result of “an act of total evil”.
All four died after a 5am arson attack on their home in the Birchwood estate last Tuesday, and a murder investigation has since been launched.
In his homily, Fr Chestnutt paid tribute to each of the four family members.
He said: “Philip, Kim and the children were a regular family. As parents, their focus was completely on their children.
“They had four beautiful children, each with their individual personality, loved by all who knew them.
“Philip was funny, lovable, sensitive and caring. Family always was his priority. Any photograph that you have seen of him sums him up, always smiling.
“Kim had a different personality to Philip: vocal and feisty, but the most loving, kind and caring person."
As parents, they adored their children, Fr Chestnutt said.
“Their life as a family was a journey of love. And there were many journeys as three of their children faced illness. Through all of that they were completely united and dedicated.”
He reminded mourners about Callum’s “mischievous smile” and he described him as a “lovable rogue”.
He said: “The photograph put up by Johnville Football Club is him. The smile, the winner’s medal placed between his teeth. A lovable rogue.”
Addressing him, he said: “You tested the patience of family, friends, principal and teachers in Scoil Lorcain. But Callum, you were loved by all.
“Everyone in Johnville, in fact, everybody in this community, is heartbroken.
“On behalf of all of us, Callum, you are a winner. A dark deed took life from you, but your light will shine forever.”
He described Jayden as “a force of love, life and energy”.
Fr Chestnutt said he had “boundless energy” and he “rarely stayed still”.
He said: “You were full of fun and mischief. Very often you were heard before you were seen.
“Life was never dull at home, in the Birchwood Estate or at Saint Joseph’s School when you were around, but you were adored by all.”
Mourners at the funeral Mass were also told that Philip, Kim, Callum and Jayden English are all “innocent victims of a web of evil which is the drugs trade”.
In his closing remarks at the end of the joint funerals Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore said it is a “dark trade” that is destroying communities around the country.
He said: “As a country we have not really faced up to this problem and it is a fact that in every city, town, village and townland harmful drugs are available.
“Up and down this dear land people are turning to drugs.
“Young lives and the lives of the not-so-young are being destroyed by drugs.
“Those who work behind the scene need to see the consequences of their dark trade and atone for their sin.”
He also said that anyone who deals in drugs is “contributing to a deadly darkness”.
He added: “Anyone in Ireland who thinks there is no harm in taking a line of cocaine on the weekend is utterly mistaken and is also feeding this evil machine.
“The use of drugs is a choice and a physical and spiritual problem.
“The human spirit seeks to be filled by love and meaning.”
Kim’s sister Charlene broke down as she paid tribute to her.
She told mourners no words will ever come close to how incredibly heartbroken she is and that Kim was the light of her life.
She also said that she was so glad she told her she loved her in their last call, the night before she was killed, alongside her husband Philip and sons Calum and Jayden.
“I’m going to miss our calls and hearing you say “g'wan I love you’,” she told mourners at the English family funerals.
“I’ll never forget watching every night next to you.
“You always told me that the day I was born, your life truly began and that I was the apple of your eye, well Kim you were everything and more a little sister could have asked for.”
She said she has never met anybody “as beautiful and resilient” as her, and she said she admires the way she cared so much about everybody around her.
She said: “You broke the cycle and became the best mother I have ever seen.
“I’m grateful I called you the night before you were taken away from me, my last words to you was I love you.
“It hurts knowing I’ll never see or talk to you again but I have 22 years of memories I will always cherish. I love you so incredibly much.”
The couple’s two brown coffins and their small sons’ two white coffins arrived at the church on Sunday before lying in repose at the adjoining parish centre as hundreds paid their respects.
They are due to be buried in Kilbarry Cemetery after a private family burial service following this afternoon’s requiem mass.
Mourners have been asked to donate money to the Children’s Hospital in Crumlin in Dublin in lieu of flowers.
This is where two children who were rescued from the blaze remain in a critical condition.
Two people charged in relation to last Tuesday’s attack are due to appear in court tomorrow, one in person and the other via video link.
Cian Stacey, aged 21, and Jessica Dalton, aged 31, first appeared at Clonmel District Court on Saturday on three charges - one count of criminal damage and two counts of assault causing serious harm.
It is understood that a bail application is due to be made by Ms Dalton, who is the mother of several children.
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