Waterford Gardaí have arrested a man in his 20s and a woman in her 30s for alleged offences in connection with the arson attack and murder of a married couple and two of their children at their home in the Birchwood residential development, two miles from the city centre.
Both are currently being detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act (2007) at a Garda Station in the Eastern region.
The two children of the late Philip and Kim English who were admitted to Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin continue to receive treatment for the injuries they sustained in Tuesday’s morning’s fatal fire. Their condition remains critical.
The English’s family home at Birch Avenue remains a crime scene and continues to be subject to technical examination by the Garda Technical Bureau.
Post-mortems on the four deceased – Philip English, Kim English and their sons Callum (12) and Jayden (9) – have been completed. However, those results are not being released for operational reasons.
Family Liaison Officers continue to engage with the bereaved family who have been updated on this afternoon’s events.
“An Garda Síochána continue to appeal to any person who has any information on the murderous arson attack to please speak to the Garda investigation team at Waterford Garda Station (051 305300) or contact the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or to speak with any member of An Garda Síochána that you know,” a Garda spokesperson said.
“An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to anyone who was in the vicinity of Birch Avenue, Birchwood, between 4.30am and 5.30am on Tuesday morning to contact investigating officers.
“And we’re continuing to appeal to any person who was driving in the vicinity of Birchwood, or the adjoining roads, between 4.30am and 5.30am this morning, who may have dashcam footage or images to make such footage available to investigating Gardaí.”
