'Walk away from drugs' urges family of Waterford arson victims
Parents Philip and Kim English died in the fire alongside their two children, 12-year-old Callum and nine-year-old Jayden.
'Walk away from drugs' urges family of Waterford arson victims
A relative of four members of the same family who died after a suspected arson attack on a house in Ireland last week has urged young people to "walk away from drugs".
Parents Philip and Kim English died in the fire along with their two children, 12-year-old Callum and nine-year-old Jayden, at their home in the Birchwood estate in Waterford.
The couple’s two other children, who were in the house when the fire broke out, remain in a critical condition in hospital.
Gardaí (Irish police) believe the arson is linked to drug debt intimidation, with Philip English’s son telling Irish broadcaster RTÉ that they were targeted over someone else’s drug debt.
On Saturday, two people appeared in court charged in connection with the attack.
Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Church in the city, and the family was buried in Kilbarry Cemetery after the service.
Four coffins, two white and two light brown, were placed at the top of the church during the Mass.
A family photo of the six members of the English family, including the two children who are critically ill in hospital, was displayed on a table beside the coffins with four white candles.
Near the end of the service, Philip’s cousin Raymond Power spoke to young people "in our city and country".
"Please walk away from drugs," he told the congregation.
"Please ask for help when it comes to addiction. Please ask for help if you're being led down a bad path. Please choose a life, choose hope and please, most certainly, choose a future."
The Mass was led by parish priest Fr Gerry Chestnutt, with aide-de-comps for Irish President Catherine Connolly, Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin and Tanaiste (Irish Deputy Prime Minister) Simon Harris in attendance.
Local politicians, including local TD (member of the Irish parliament) and junior minister John Cummins, as well as Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, also attended the funeral.
The gifts brought up to the altar by members of the bereaved family were a Minecraft t-shirt and toys for Jayden, a GAA club jersey for Callum, a Liverpool jersey and Carlsberg beer can for Philip, and a bouquet of lilies for Kim.
Fr Chestnutt said the community is "heartbroken" and described the four deceased as the "salt of the earth".
"We are all better people for knowing you, for you were the salt of the earth and lights in this community," he told mourners.
"Last Tuesday morning. an act of total evil left a family and community devastated and heartbroken."
He said "forces of darkness" took four innocent lives and that the community is feeling "heartbreak, shock, devastation and, yes, anger".
He said Philip and Kim’s focus was "completely" on their children, with three of their children ill.
Philip was remembered during the Mass as being "funny, loveable, sensible and caring", and as someone who stopped people when going to the local supermarket and around the parish for a chat.
Kim was remembered as being "vocal" and "feisty" and a "most loving, kind and caring person".
"As parents, they adored their children. Their life as a family was a journey of love. And there were many journeys as three of their children faced illness. But through all of that , as a family, completely united and dedicated."
Callum was remembered as having a "mischievous smile" and being "loved by all".
"A dark deed took life from you but your light will shine forever. Because in our hearts, you are a star and you are a winner," the priest told mourners.
Jayden was remembered as a "force of love" whose energy "bounded into the world" when he was born.