Two women and man arrested over petrol bomb murders of English family in Waterford city

The arrests of three people over the fatal arson attack at the home of the English family in Waterford city forms part of a Garda strategy to move closer to the leadership of the drugs gang behind the attack.

Philip and Kim English, and their children Callum (12) and Jayden (9), were killed in the fire. Two other children – a girl (14) and a boy (6) – were rescued from the house and are in critical condition in hospital.

Three suspects – a man in his 50s and two women in their 30s – were arrested on Tuesday in Waterford.

Two other individuals have been charged and appeared before the courts.

The three people arrested on Tuesday are suspected of offences contrary to section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 in connection with the arson attack, namely aiding the crime gang.

The Garda said all three are currently detained under section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 at Garda stations in the Garda Eastern region.

“An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to any person: if you have any information on the murderous arson attack, please speak to the Garda investigation team at Waterford Garda station, contact the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or speak with any member of An Garda Síochána that you know.”

The suspects can be held for up to seven days without charge as they were detained under legislation used in the investigation of alleged crime gangs.

The Garda’s murder inquiry has been focused on trying to prove the identity of the person who threw the petrol bomb into the house on Birch Avenue, Birchwood, just after 5am last Tuesday and anyone who aided them on the day.

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However, gardaí also believe those involved at the scene were working on the orders of others, and may have been assisted after the crime, especially when it became clear four members of the English family were killed in the fire.

An Garda Síochána has begun examining the network of people, all suspected of having strong links to the Waterford drugs gang that ordered the attack. The gang had been waging a campaign of violence against the English family.

The family’s car was attacked outside their home as far back as August 2023, and just last month a petrol bomb was thrown at the house, though nobody was injured. Threats had also been made against members of the family on social media.

Gardaí suspect Philip English was being pressured to pay a €20,000 drug debt owed by a man he knew. Detectives believe the attacks and threats against him and his family represented a campaign of drug-related intimidation to extort that money from Philip English, even though he had no involvement with drugs.