Four members of the English family, including two boys aged under 10, died in a suspected petrol bomb attack on their home in the early hours of Tuesday, October 13. Two younger children are in a critical condition in hospital.
Emergency services were called to the property on the Birchwood estate near Waterford city, Dublin, shortly after 5am. Four people were found dead at the scene: Philip English and his wife Kim, both in their 40s, and their two children, Callum and Jayden English, both under 10.
The couple's two other young children were rescued by emergency services personnel and remain in a critical condition at Children's Health Ireland Hospital in Crumlin, south Dublin, according to the Irish Mirror.
Community fundraising appeal
A GoFundMe appeal has been set up to help pay for the funerals and ease the financial burden on grieving relatives. Within minutes of the fundraiser being established, more than €6,000 had been raised from almost 100 donors.
The fundraiser's organiser, Shannon Brazil, said the family was reaching out for help following an “unimaginable tragedy” that had devastated their lives. In a message accompanying the appeal, she wrote: “With the heaviest of hearts, we are reaching out to ask for help following an unimaginable tragedy that has devastated our family.
“On Tuesday, October 13, our beloved Phillip and Kim English, along with their two beautiful children, Callum and Jayden, both under the age of 10, tragically lost their lives in a house fire. There are no words to describe the heartbreak of losing four precious lives in such devastating circumstances.”
Ms Brazil explained that the family now faces the heartbreaking task of arranging four funerals while desperately hoping the two surviving children will recover. “Tragically, two other siblings are also currently in hospital in critical condition,” she wrote. “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.”
Funds to go to children's grandfather
All money raised will go directly to the children's grandfather, Paddy, to help cover funeral expenses and support the family in the weeks ahead. “We have created this GoFundMe to help ease the financial burden of funeral expenses during this heartbreaking time,” she wrote. “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.”
Ms Brazil thanked everyone who had donated, shared the appeal or kept the family in their thoughts, adding that even those unable to contribute financially could help by spreading the word. “Phillip, Kim, Callum and Jayden will forever be loved and never forgotten,” she wrote. “We pray for strength for our family and hold on to hope for the two siblings still in hospital. May they rest in eternal peace. Forever in our hearts.”
Football club pays tribute
Johnville FC has paid an emotional tribute to Philip and Kim and their son Callum, remembering them as familiar and friendly faces who regularly supported Callum at his matches. In a statement, the club said it was “absolutely heartbroken and devastated” by the tragedy.
“Kim and Philip were familiar and friendly faces around our club, always there supporting Callum at his matches,” the club wrote. “It is incredibly difficult to comprehend that a family we knew so well has been taken from us in such tragic circumstances.”
The club also paid tribute to Callum, who spent five years as part of its football family, beginning in the academy before progressing through the underage teams from under-11 to under-14. Remembering the young player, Johnville FC said: “He was part of our U11 team that proudly won the league two seasons ago.”
The club said Callum's teammates and coaches were devastated by the news, adding that the pain of the tragedy would take a long time to heal. Its tribute also extended to the two children still fighting for their lives in hospital. “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with all the family, their relatives and friends following this unimaginable loss,” the statement read. “We are also thinking of those who are still fighting for their lives in hospital, and we sincerely hope they can pull through.”
Johnville FC urged anyone with information that could assist Gardaí with their investigation to come forward, stressing that even seemingly minor details could prove important. The club said the tragedy had left the wider community grieving alongside everyone who knew and loved the family. “Football is about so much more than what happens on the pitch. It is about people, friendships and community,” the statement read. “Today, our Johnville family and the surrounding community is hurting alongside everyone who knew and loved this family.”
The club concluded: “From everyone at Johnville FC, we send our love and deepest condolences to all those affected. You will always be part of our club family.”
