Four coffins of Philip and Kim English and their sons, Jayden and Callum, are carried into Sacred Heart Church Parish Centre, The Folly

Respects paid to family at church after Waterford attack

by · RTE.ie

Hundreds of people have paid their respects at the Sacred Heart Church in Waterford this afternoon where the bodies of Kim and Phillip English and their sons Callum and Jayden are lying in repose.

The busy built-up area of The Folly fell silent this afternoon as four coffins - two white and two wood veneer - arrived by hearse to the Sacred Heart Church.

They were the coffins of Kim and Phillip English as well as their two sons, 12-year-old Callum and nine-year-old Jayden, who were all killed in the arson attack on their home in the Birchwood estate on Tuesday morning.

As the coffins arrived at the church, there was a guard of honour by member of Johnville FC.

The coffin of Kim English and flowers for Philip English are seen at Sacred Heart Church Parish Centre

The soccer club, which Callum won a league title with at under-11 level, said earlier this week that he had been a member of their football family and will be missed more than words can describe.

The bodies of Kim, Philip, Callum and Jayden were received into the church by Parish Priest, Fr Gerry Chestnutt.

Kim and Philip English, and their children Callum and Jayden, were killed in the attack

There were prayers before the coffins were taken to a room in the adjoining parish centre where the bodies of the four family members will lie in repose for the next number of hours.

Hundreds of people are expected to pay their respects and sympathise with members of the affected families this afternoon.

The requiem mass for Kim, Philip, Callum and Jayden will take place in the same church tomorrow afternoon.

Fr Chestnutt is expected to lead the congregation in the funeral liturgy tomorrow with Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, the Bishop for Waterford and Lismore, also expected to be in attendance.

Members of Johnville FC follow the coffins of Philip and Kim English and their sons, Jayden and Callum, into Sacred Heart Church Parish Centre

The four family members will be laid to rest afterwards in Kilbarry Cemetery.

Such is the impact that this arson attack has had on the wider community that a number of businesses in Waterford city are expected to close tomorrow out of a mark of respect.

Paul Reid is the owner of the Kiosk Café coffee shop in John Roberts Square in Waterford city.

Mr Reid said that this has hit the people of Waterford badly, and as a small gesture from the business community, some businesses would close for all, or for a duration, of tomorrow as a mark of respect.

Yesterday, two people appeared in court charged in connection with the arson attack.