More arrests expected in murder investigation into Waterford fire that killed two children and parents

Por Paris Ibell — – World RSS Feed

Gardaí on Thursday arrested a man in his 20s and a woman in her 30s in connection with the deaths of Philip and Kim English and their sons, Callum and Jayden

Paris Ibell Friday 16 October 2026 13:48 BST

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Tributes are laid outside the home of Philip and Kim English ( PA )

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Irish police expect to make further arrests as part of their murder investigation into a suspected arson attack that killed two children and their parents in the city of Waterford earlier this week.

Gardaí on Thursday arrested a man in his 20s and a woman in her 30s in connection with the deaths of Philip and Kim English and their sons, 12-year-old Callum and nine-year-old Jayden.

Two other children were rushed to hospital in a critical condition from the house in the Birchwood estate area and remain at Children’s Health Ireland in Crumlin.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly on Friday said he anticipated further arrests would be made in connection with the suspected murders, which he characterised as “an absolutely horrendous crime”.

“We have a full homicide investigation under way, we have made significant progress in the last number of days.”

Gardaí had made seven searches and seized a number of items in connection with the murder investigation, he said.

Two other children were rushed to hospital in a critical condition from the house in the Birchwood estate area and remain at Children’s Health Ireland in Crumlin ( PA )

“We do anticipate further arrests in this case.”

Gardaí were giving every possible resource to the investigation, he said.

“I spoke to the lead investigator myself this morning, so we are quite satisfied as to the direction the investigation is going.

“Needless to say, we will keep going with the investigation.

“I am getting briefed on a practically hourly basis.”

Gardaí had made several searches and seized a number of items in connection with the murder investigation ( PA )

The son of Mr English, John James English, claimed on Thursday his family were murdered as a result of somebody else’s 20,000 euro drug debt, the Press Association reported.

The family had been targeted for a while but were not affiliated with drugs and were “innocent”, he told RTÉ News.

“It’s a family, you know,” he said.

“Twenty grand worth of a debt; is that worth nearly five lives?”

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said there were measures to protect people experiencing drug-related intimidation.

”Drugs-related intimidation, this is part of the drugs business, and this is part of the drugs business everywhere, in every country,” Mr Kelly said on Friday.

“It is a very difficult thing for An Garda Síochána to deal with. We have put a number of steps in place to support people who do want to come forward. I would certainly encourage people to come forward and speak to us about it.”

Police had made “a number” of prosecutions for drugs-related intimidation in the area, he said.

Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan and Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly at the Garda College graduation ceremony on Friday ( PA )

“What we have certainly seen is an increased use of devices, incendiary devices, petrol bombs. Obviously we are very concerned around it.

“What we are doing is increasing our targeting, not just on the higher level drugs organised crime groups but some of the medium ones as well.”

Gardaí had had good co-operation from the public in the Waterford investigation, he said.

Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said he believed Gardaí could keep people who were under threat from drug gangs safe.

“I would appeal to people to put their faith in An Garda Síochána.

“If you are being intimidated, if somebody is threatening you with violence, go to An Garda Síochána and report it. That is the best way to deal with this.

“If people don’t report it to the Gardaí, they are very much on their own.”