Waterford city has seen ‘worst and best of humanity’ during week of fatal arson attack
Gardaí are continuing with their murder investigation into Tuesday’s fatal arson attack in Waterford city
Waterford city has seen the “worst and best of humanity” during the week of an arson attack which claimed the lives of four people, a council meeting has heard.
Philip and Kim English, along with their children Callum and Jayden, died in the house fire which occurred in Birchwood in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Two other children remain in a critical condition in hospital in Dublin.
There was widespread condemnation of the incident at the October meeting of the Waterford Metropolitan District, which was held on Thursday in City Hall.
A number of councillors reflected on the events of the past few days and extended their deepest sympathies to those affected.
Fianna Fáil councillor Jason Murphy said that a “black cloud” had come over the city since the attack.
Cllr Murphy said: “I don’t think anyone thought we would be here today discussing such a terrible tragedy.
“I think it’s fair to say that since Tuesday, a black cloud has come over Waterford city.
“My thoughts and sympathies also are with the family of Philip, Kim, Callum, Jayden and indeed, I want to wish Nadia and Elliot all the best in their recovery.
“May God give them the strength to get through what they have to go through today and over the coming days.”
He commended the way in which the residents of Birchwood and the wider Waterford community have responded to the tragedy.
“I think over the last few days, in some ways we’ve seen the worst of humanity but also the best of humanity.
“We’ve seen that in the way the community in Birchwood and the wider community in Waterford have reacted to this terrible, terrible tragedy.
“I too would like to pay tribute to that community and indeed, our emergency services. God can only imagine what they faced on that Tuesday morning.”
Cllr Murphy expressed hope that the tragedy could lead to lasting change in the fight against drug-related intimidation and crime.
“I hope that this can be a watershed moment. I hope some good can come out of this.
“I hope it can be a watershed moment in relation to the fight against organised crime and the scourge that drugs are having on our community, not just here in Waterford but in every city and town throughout Ireland.
“Sometimes, it takes the slaughter of the innocent to bring about real change.
“I remember Shane Geoghegan, an innocent man that was killed in Limerick. I remember the murder of Veronica Guerin, that brought about change and I hope this can bring about change as well.”
He concluded by saying that he hopes that people involved in drugs can reflect on the impact that they have on innocent families.
“May God give this family and the wider community the strength to get through this,” Cllr Murphy added.