Six-year-old Elliot English, one of two children critically injured in an arson attack on a family home in Waterford city last month, has died in hospital, bringing the family's death toll to five.
Elliot died at Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin, the English family confirmed in a statement, expressing "profound sadness" at his passing. The statement said the latest bereavement came after the deaths of his mother Kim, his father Philip, and his two brothers, and left relatives, neighbours and friends facing "an overwhelming period of grief."
The family asked the media to allow them time, space and privacy to come to terms with the tragedy, and said their thoughts remain with the child who is still in hospital, asking that the child be "kept in everyone's thoughts and prayers."
Gardaí have arrested six people to date in connection with the attack on the family home in the Birchwood estate on 13 October. Last month, four people, a man in his 50s, two women in their 30s and a man in his 20s, were arrested on suspicion of facilitating a criminal organisation and detained under anti-gang legislation. They were released without charge, and gardaí said files will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, with the investigation ongoing.
The two other people arrested, Jessica Dalton, 31, and Cian Stacey, 21, have appeared before Waterford District Court and were remanded in custody. They are due back before the court on 17 November via video link.
At the joint funeral mass for Kim, Philip, Callum and Jayden, the family was described as "the salt of the earth and lights in this community" who had done "no wrong to anybody."
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Five members of one family have now died as a result of the arson attack, leaving a sixth family member, a child, still in hospital.
- The investigation into the attack has led to six arrests, including two people facing court on suspicion of involvement, and raises questions about the organised crime investigation.
- The family's appeal for privacy highlights the intense public and media attention the tragedy has drawn in Ireland.
Background
The arson attack on the English family's home in the Birchwood estate in Waterford city on 13 October killed parents Kim and Philip English and their sons Callum, 12, and Jayden, 9. Elliot, aged six, was critically injured along with another child, and had been receiving hospital care since the attack.
Key Perspectives
The English family: described Elliot's death as a loss they confirmed with "profound sadness", asked for privacy, and said their thoughts remain with the child still in hospital.
Gardaí: said files will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions and that the investigation remains ongoing.
What to Watch
- The next court appearance of Jessica Dalton and Cian Stacey on 17 November.
- The condition of the child who remains in hospital.
- Whether the Director of Public Prosecutions directs charges after gardaí send over investigation files.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedSix-year-old Elliot English died after the Waterford arson attack.RTÉ News: “Six-year-old Elliot English passed away at Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin.”
- SupportedElliot was the fifth family member to die, and one child remains in hospital.RTÉ News: “in which four other members of their family were killed, has died in hospital. [...] One more child, who was critically injured in the attack, remains in hospital.”
- SupportedElliot was one of two children critically injured in an arson attack on their home in Waterford city last month.RTÉ News: “One of the two children who were critically injured in an arson attack on their home in Waterford city last month”
- SupportedElliot's death brought the family's death toll to five.RTÉ News: “in which four other members of their family were killed, has died in hospital.”
- SupportedElliot died at Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin, and the English family confirmed his passing in a statement.RTÉ News: “Six-year-old Elliot English passed away at Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin. [...] In a statement, the English family said they wished to confirm the passing of Elliot”
- SupportedThe family described Elliot's passing with the words “profound sadness.”RTÉ News: “In a statement, the English family said they wished to confirm the passing of Elliot with "profound sadness".”
- SupportedThe family said the latest bereavement left relatives, neighbours and friends facing “an overwhelming period of grief.”RTÉ News: “this latest bereavement has left relatives, neighbours and friends facing an overwhelming period of grief.”
- SupportedThe family asked that the child still in hospital be “kept in everyone's thoughts and prayers.”RTÉ News: “The family also said their thoughts remain with the child who remains in hospital, who they asked be "kept in everyone's thoughts and prayers".”
- SupportedSix people had been arrested to date in connection with the attack.RTÉ News: “A total of six people have been arrested to date as part of the garda investigation into the arson attack.”
- SupportedFour people were arrested on suspicion of facilitating a criminal organisation and detained under anti-gang legislation; they were released without charge.RTÉ News: “The four people were arrested on suspicion of facilitating a criminal organisation and detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, anti-gang legislation. They were all subsequently released without charge.”
- SupportedJessica Dalton, 31, and Cian Stacey, 21, appeared before Waterford District Court, were remanded in custody and are due back on 17 November via video link.RTÉ News: “Jessica Dalton, aged 31, with an address in Waterford city, and 21-year-old Cian Stacey of no fixed abode, have previously appeared before Waterford District Court. They were further remanded in custody and will be back before the same court again on 17 November via video link.”
- SupportedAt the joint funeral mass, the family was described as “the salt of the earth and lights in this community” who had done “no wrong to anybody.”RTÉ News: “The joint funeral mass of Kim, Phillip, Callum and Jayden heard that they were "the salt of the earth and lights in this community" who had done "no wrong to anybody".”