Child injured in Waterford arson attack dies in hospital

One of the two children who were critically injured in an arson attack on their home in Waterford city last month, in which four other members of their family were killed, has died in hospital.

Six-year-old Elliot English passed away at Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin.

His parents, Kim and Philip English, and brothers, 12-year-old Callum and nine-year-old Jayden, also died following the arson attack on their home in the Birchwood estate on 13 October.

One more child, who was critically injured in the attack, remains in hospital.

The joint funeral mass of Kim, Phillip, Callum and Jayden heard that they were "the salt of the earth and lights in this community" who had done "no wrong to anybody".

A total of six people have been arrested to date as part of the garda investigation into the arson attack.

Last month, four people - a man in his 50s, two women in their 30s and a man in his 20s - were arrested in connection with the arson attack.

The four people were arrested on suspicion of facilitating a criminal organisation and detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, anti-gang legislation.

They were all subsequently released without charge.

Gardaí said that files will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, and their investigation remains ongoing.

The two other people arrested last month, Jessica Dalton, aged 31, with an address in Waterford city, and 21-year-old Cian Stacey of no fixed abode, have previously appeared before Waterford District Court.

They were further remanded in custody and will be back before the same court again on 17 November via video link.

In a statement, the English family said they wished to confirm the passing of Elliot with "profound sadness".

They said: "This comes following the tragic events in Birchwood earlier this month, in which Elliot's mother, Kim, his father, Philip, and his two brothers, Jaden and Callum, tragically lost their lives.

"The family has endured an unimaginable loss, and this latest bereavement has left relatives, neighbours and friends facing an overwhelming period of grief.

"At this incredibly difficult time, the family respectfully asks members of the media to allow them, along with their neighbours and friends, the time, space and privacy to come to terms with this devastating tragedy".

The family also said their thoughts remain with the child who remains in hospital, who they asked be "kept in everyone's thoughts and prayers".

The family also appealed for privacy at this time.

They said: "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 English family would like to thank everyone who has shown kindness, compassion and support during what has been an incomprehensibly difficult time.

"Please allow the family the privacy and respect they so desperately need at this time," the statement concluded.