A row over an alleged drugs debt of just €20,000 is believed to be at the heart of the escalating vandalism and violence that culminated in the deaths of two adults and two children in an arson attack in Co Waterford this week. Two further children remain in a critical condition following the blaze.
This is the assertion of John James English, son of Philip English, who perished alongside his wife Kim and their two children Callum (12) and Jayden (9). John James English made his remarks as hundreds of mourners gathered for a vigil in the Birchwood area of Co Waterford, where the local parish priest urged those behind the attack to "to stand up, admit what you did and face the legal consequences".
Intense investigation under way
Gardaí are conducting what has been described as an 'intense investigation' into the attack on the family home, with multiple properties searched and a number of electronic devices and vehicles seized.
John James English insisted his family had been targeted over a period of time, maintaining they had no involvement in drugs and were entirely "innocent". Speaking to RTÉ News, he said: "It's a family, you know. Twenty grand worth of a debt; is that worth nearly five lives?", reports Cork Beo.
Vigil and community appeal
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 addressed 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. James English, who also disclosed he is godfather to one of the youngsters who perished, stated: "Whoever did it, he better feel ashamed of himself." He appealed for witnesses to approach the gardaí with any details they possess, remarking: "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."
Family remembered as community mourns
Anne English, Philip English's former wife, 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 urged 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 the local community, while expressing his gratitude to 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 locals gathered on the green at Birchwood on Wednesday evening for a balloon release ceremony honouring the four victims who perished in the blaze. Tearful family members sang You'll Never Walk Alone as hundreds of balloons floated skyward. One local mother tenderly told her young child: "They're waiting up there to catch them all."
Following a floral tribute laid at the property on Wednesday, the headteacher of the school attended by the two young victims pledged to do everything possible to restore a sense of normality for remaining pupils. Accompanied by fellow teachers who also brought flowers, Caroline Douris from Scoil Lorcáin Boys' National School paid her respects 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.
