A disagreement over money owed for drugs — alleged to be just €20,000 — lay at the heart of the escalating vandalism and violence that resulted in the deaths of two adults and two children in an arson attack in Co Waterford this week. Two other children were left critically injured in the fire.
Family 'innocent' and not involved in drugs
That is the assertion of John James English, son of Philip English, the father who perished alongside his wife Kim and two children Callum (12) and Jayden (9). John James English's remarks came as hundreds gathered at a vigil last night in the Birchwood area of Co Waterford, where the local parish priest urged those responsible for the attack on the home to "to stand up, admit what you did and face the legal consequences".
Gardaí are conducting what is being described as an 'intense investigation' into the arson attack on the family home — several properties have been searched and a number of electronic devices and vehicles seized.
Mr English's son, John James English, said the family had been targeted for some time but were not involved in drugs and were "innocent". He told RTÉ News last night: "It's a family, you know. Twenty grand worth of a debt; is that worth nearly five lives?", reports Cork Beo.
Parish priest appeals for courage and information
At a prayer vigil at Sacred Heart Church on Wednesday evening, Father Gerry Chestnutt called on the local community to "wrap each other in love".
"We may even find words hard to speak, but our emotions can be shown," he told the congregation of around 500. "Each one of us knows that what happened in Birch Avenue yesterday should never, ever have happened. An innocent family preparing for a new day should have done what they did every day: parents preparing their children for school."
"An innocent family taken from our midst in a most horrific and violent way. I want to say, even though they're not here, that the persons responsible need to have the courage now to stand up, admit what you did and face the legal consequences of what you did. And I would also say to all here present: if you know anything whatsoever about what happened on Birch Avenue, please contact An Garda Síochána."
An uncle of Philip English has urged anyone with information to come forward.
Family tributes and community support
James English, who revealed he is also the godfather of one of the children who died, said: "Whoever did it, he better feel ashamed of himself." He appealed to any witnesses to approach the gardaí with whatever information they hold, adding: "Well, whoever knows, they'd want to turn up and own up, whoever done it. At the end of the day, we have a loss of family now, wiped out. So please, whoever done it, own up, be a man."
Philip English's former wife Anne English described them as a happy family. "I just have no words. I'm lost and I'm going to be lost without them," she said. "She's (Kim English) my best friend. We were very, very close. I heard when I got a phone call from one of my family and I jumped out up of bed. Since then I am numb. I am just shocked."
"The family is very close. Very happy. I have no words, just disbelief. They were a lovely couple. Never bothering anyone. The kids were his (Philip's) life." She appealed to anyone with information to come forward. "It's just a devastating loss for everyone in the community, the wider family and schools," Mrs English added.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed on Wednesday that the Government would deploy all necessary resources to support the garda investigation and assist the local community, as he praised first responders for handling "what was a very traumatic situation". "Our thoughts are still very much on the shocking murder yesterday of the members of the English family," he said.
Hundreds of local residents gathered on the green at Birchwood on Wednesday evening for a balloon release ceremony to honour the four lives lost in the blaze. Tearful family members sang You'll Never Walk Alone as hundreds of balloons were released into the night sky. One local mother tenderly told her young child: "They're waiting up there to catch them all."
Speaking after laying flowers at the house on Wednesday, the headteacher of the school attended by the two young victims vowed to do everything possible to restore a sense of normality for the remaining pupils. Accompanied by a group of fellow teachers who also brought flowers, Caroline Douris from Scoil Lorcáin Boys' National School paid tribute to Callum and Jayden. "We just want to extend sympathies to the community and to the family," she said.
Six psychologists have been deployed to local schools to provide support for pupils, and a community hub has been established at the nearby Butler Community Centre, where councillors are on hand to speak with residents.
