Child (6) becomes fifth member of family to die after Waterford arson attack on home
A boy has died from injuries he suffered in an arson attack that killed his parents and two brothers in Waterford last month. Elliot English (6) died in hospital in Dublin on Friday evening. His parents, Philip and Kim, and his older brothers, Callum (12) and Jayden (9), died in the fire at their home on Birchwood Avenue in Birchwood, Waterford, when a petrol bomb was allegedly thrown at the house in the early hours of October 13th. Elliot and another person, both critically injured, were initially taken to University Hospital Waterford in Ardkeen before being transferred to the burns unit at St James’s Hospital. In a statement, the English family confirmed Elliot’s death “with profound sadness”. “The family has endured an unimaginable loss, and this latest bereavement has left relatives, neighbours and friends facing an overwhelming period of grief,” they said. They appealed for time, space and privacy to come to terms with “this devastating tragedy”. “The family appreciates that there will be considerable public interest and that many people will wish to express their sympathy and support. However, we ask that their privacy, dignity and right to grieve be respected.” The family thanked those who had shown “kindness, compassion and support during what has been an incomprehensibly difficult time”. Gardaí confirmed the child “who sustained critical injuries during a fire at his home” had died at Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) Crumlin. “The thoughts of all members of An Garda Síochána are with the extended English family at this sad time,” a statement said. Gardaí have charged a couple, Jessica Dalton (31) with an address at Waterford city and Cian Stacey (21) of no fixed abode. with criminal damage in relation to the fire at Birchwood Avenue on October 13th. The couple were also charged with assault causing serious harm to two other individuals who cannot be named for legal reasons. They have been remanded in continuing custody on all four charges following several court appearances.