Six-year-old Elliot English has passed away at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin from injuries sustained in an October 13 arson attack on his Waterford city home that previously claimed the lives of four other family members, RTÉ News reported.
An Unimaginable Loss in Birchwood
The arson attack on the family’s home in the Birchwood estate on October 13 resulted in the deaths of five members of the English family according to The Irish Times. Elliot’s parents, Kim and Philip English, and his two brothers, 12-year-old Callum and nine-year-old Jayden, died following the blaze as reported by RTÉ. Elliot and another person, both critically injured, were initially rushed to University Hospital Waterford in Ardkeen before being transferred to the Burns Unit at St James’s Hospital in Dublin, where Elliot passed away on Friday evening, The Irish Times noted.
Emergency services were called to the house on Birchwood Avenue shortly after 5am on October 13, after Waterford Fire Service received an alert at 5.13am. Firefighters found a well-developed fire upon arrival, conducted firefighting operations, removed casualties from the building, and subsequently handed the scene over to An Garda Síochána.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin described the incident as a deeply disturbing situation
and stated that details were still unfolding while speaking ahead of a cabinet meeting in Dublin. Government officials pledged full resources behind An Garda Síochána, while the community held a vigil in the Birchwood area where local parish priest Father Gerry Chestnutt called on those responsible to have the courage to stand up, admit what they did, and face legal consequences. Crowds also gathered for a balloon release ceremony on the green area in Birchwood.
A joint funeral mass was held for Kim, Philip, Callum, and Jayden at the Sacred Heart Church Parish Centre at The Folly in Waterford, where mourners heard that they were the salt of the earth and lights in this community
who had done no wrong to anybody
. Players from the Johnville football club, where Callum played, provided a guard of honour on the steps as four separate hearses arrived carrying the wooden coffins—two of which were white, with one covered by an Irish tricolour flag. The bodies were received by parish priest Father Gerry Chestnutt before burial in Kilbarry Cemetery.
In a statement issued on Friday night, the English family confirmed Elliot’s death with profound sadness
. The family stated: The family has endured an unimaginable loss, and this latest bereavement has left relatives, neighbours and friends facing an overwhelming period of grief
.
At this incredibly difficult time, the family respectfully asks members of the media to allow them, along with their neighbours and friends, the time, space and privacy to come to terms with this devastating tragedy
The English family
The family also requested that another child who remains hospitalized be kept in everyone’s thoughts and prayers
, while emphasizing that the family appreciates that there will be considerable public interest and that many people will wish to express their sympathy and support
. They further thanked everyone who had shown kindness, compassion, and support during an incomprehensibly difficult time.
Six Arrested as Suspects Face Court Charges
An Garda Síochána have arrested a total of six individuals as part of the investigation into the arson attack, RTÉ reported.
Jessica Dalton and Cian Stacey have appeared in court charged with criminal damage and assault causing serious harm in relation to the fire. Both have been remanded in continuing custody following several court appearances.