Family urges young people to 'walk away from drugs' at funeral of Waterford arson victims

Philip and Kim English and their children Callum and Jayden buried as mourners hear family was targeted over someone else's drug debt

By LineZotpaper

Published21 October 2026

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A relative of four members of the same family who died in a suspected arson attack on their home in Waterford last week has appealed to young people to "walk away from drugs," as hundreds of mourners gathered for their funeral. Parents Philip and Kim English were buried alongside their children Callum, 12, and Jayden, 9, with the couple's two other children remaining in critical condition in hospital.

Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Waterford, where four coffins, two white and two light brown, stood at the top of the church as a family photograph sat beside them with four white candles.

Gardaí believe the attack on the family's house in the Birchwood estate was linked to drug debt intimidation. Philip English's son told Irish broadcaster RTÉ that the family were targeted over someone else's drug debt. On Saturday, two people appeared in court charged in connection with the attack.

Addressing the congregation, Philip's cousin Raymond Power made a direct appeal to young people.

"Please walk away from drugs," he said. "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 aides-de-camp for the Irish President, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris among those attending. Local TD and junior minister John Cummins and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald also attended.

Fr Chestnutt said the community was "heartbroken" and described the four deceased as "the salt of the earth." "Last Tuesday morning, an act of total evil left a family and community devastated and heartbroken," he told mourners, saying "forces of darkness" had taken four innocent lives.

Philip was remembered as "funny, loveable, sensible and caring," Kim as "vocal," "feisty" and "a most loving, kind and caring person." Callum was remembered for his "mischievous smile" and Jayden as a "force of love" whose energy "bounded into the world." Gifts brought to the altar included a Minecraft t-shirt and toys for Jayden, a GAA club jersey for Callum, a Liverpool jersey and a Carlsberg beer can for Philip, and a bouquet of lilies for Kim.

The four were buried in Kilbarry Cemetery after the service.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The attack has again focused public attention on drug debt intimidation in Ireland, with the family saying they were targeted over a debt that was not theirs.
Two children of the family remain in critical condition in hospital.
The presence of senior political figures at the funeral reflects the national shock at the deaths.

Background

Gardaí are treating the fire at the English family home in the Birchwood estate in Waterford as a suspected arson attack linked to drug debt intimidation, in which gangs use threats and violence against people connected to unpaid debts. Drug-related intimidation of families in their homes has been a recurring concern for Irish police and community groups in recent years. Two people appeared in court on Saturday charged in connection with the attack.

Key Perspectives

The family: Through Philip's cousin Raymond Power, the family used the funeral to urge young people to avoid drugs and seek help with addiction, framing their loss as a warning about the dangers of the drug trade. The community and church: Fr Gerry Chestnutt spoke of heartbreak, shock and anger in the parish, calling the attack "an act of total evil" and remembering the four victims as devoted family people. The investigation: Police believe the fire was an arson linked to drug debt intimidation. The family's account, given to RTÉ, is that they were targeted over someone else's debt. Two people have been charged and appeared in court on Saturday.

What to Watch

The condition of the couple's two surviving children, who remain critically ill in hospital.
The progress of court proceedings against the two people charged in connection with the attack.
Whether the Garda investigation makes further arrests.

Sources

'Walk away from drugs' urges family of Waterford arson victims · BBC Northern Ireland

Checked

10 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.

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SupportedA relative urged young people to “walk away from drugs” at the funeral.BBC Northern Ireland: “A relative of four members of the same family who died after a suspected arson attack on a house in Ireland last week has appealed to young people to "walk away from drugs".”
Partly supportedThe summary says mourners heard that the family was targeted over someone else’s drug debt.BBC Northern Ireland: “Gardaí (Irish police) believe the arson to be linked to drug debt intimidation, with Philip English's son telling Irish broadcaster RTÉ that they were targeted over someone else's drug debt”
SupportedFour members of the English family died after a suspected arson attack on their Waterford home last week.BBC Northern Ireland: “Parents Philip and Kim English died in the fire alongside their two children, 12-year-old Callum and nine-year-old Jayden, in their house in the Birchwood estate in Waterford.”
SupportedCallum was 12 and Jayden was 9.BBC Northern Ireland: “12-year-old Callum and nine-year-old Jayden”
SupportedThe couple’s two other children were in critical condition in hospital.BBC Northern Ireland: “The couple's two other children, who were in the house at the time of the fire, are in a critical condition in hospital.”
SupportedGardaí believe the arson was linked to drug-debt intimidation.BBC Northern Ireland: “Gardaí (Irish police) believe the arson to be linked to drug debt intimidation”
SupportedTwo people appeared in court on Saturday charged in connection with the attack.BBC Northern Ireland: “On Saturday, two people appeared in court charged in connection with the attack.”
SupportedRaymond Power said, “Please walk away from drugs. 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.”BBC Northern Ireland: “"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."”
SupportedFr Chestnutt said, “Last Tuesday morning, an act of total evil left a family and community devastated and heartbroken.”BBC Northern Ireland: “"Last Tuesday morning. an act of total evil left a family and community devastated and heartbroken."”
SupportedThe family was buried in Kilbarry Cemetery after the service.BBC Northern Ireland: “Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Church in the city, with the family buried in Kilbarry Cemetery after the service.”