"Everything a sister could ask for" – Emotional tributes at funeral of Waterford

Philip and Kim English, and their two sons, Callum, 12, and Jayden, 9, died following the house fire in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

On Monday afternoon, mourners gathered at the Sacred Heart Church Parish Centre, The Folly, Waterford, to pay their respects to the late English family.

Among the attendees were President of Ireland Catherine Connolly, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Féin Waterford TD David Cullinane, and the aide-de-camp to both An Taoiseach and An Tánaiste.

Speaking at the top of the mass, Fr. Gerard Chestnutt extended thoughts to the two young children who remain in critical condition at Crumlin’s Children’s Hospital.

Among the symbols that were brought up to represent the lives of the English family were a Minecraft t-shirt for Jayden, a Johnville FC jersey for Callum, a Liverpool jersey and a can of Carlsberg for Philip, and a bunch of lilies for Kim.

Fr Chestnutt extended "deepest sympathies" to the English and Companjen families. He extended "all our gratitude" to the first responders who attended the scene as well as those at University Hospital Waterford and Crumlin’s Children's Hospital.

The priest detailed how a "force of darkness" devastated the country last Tuesday morning.

"Philip, Kim, and the children were a regular family. Great parents, and as parents, their principal focus was always their children," Fr. Chestnutt said.

The priest branded Philip "funny, lovable [and]caring," adding that trips around the parish would be "shorter now" as bumping into Philip would always extend your trip out.

Kim had a "different personality" to her husband, the priest said - "vocal, feisty, the most loving, kind and caring person you could come across."

"As parents, they adored their children," Fr. Chestnutt confirmed.

Callum was the "mischievous, lovable rogue" who was adored by all. Jayden was a "force of love, life and energy."

"When you were around, you lit up people’s lives, and you were adored by all," Fr. Chestnutt continued.

In an emotional eulogy, Kim’s sister Charlene said words would never describe the pain she was in following the loss of the English family.

"I’ll never forget watching Cinderella next to you," Charlene told her sister. "Kim, you were everything and more than a sister could ask for.

"I have never met anyone as beautiful and resilient as you. You broke the cycle, and you became the best mother I’ve ever seen. I’m grateful I called you the night before you were taken away from me."

Speaking about her "beautiful" nephews, Charlene said Callum was "like her twin," and Jayden was "always up to mischief."

Charlene detailed how she first met Philip when she was four years old and "loved him instantly."

Philip’s cousin Ross paid tribute to his uncle Paddy, who he said was "the glue of this family," and told him: "We’re here for you, Paddy. I just wanted to tell you that we love you."

Ross spoke of the journey the English family is now embarking on and detailed the late family members that his cousin would be reuniting with when they enter heaven.

Appealing to the youngsters at the church and across Ireland, Ross pleaded: "Please walk away from drugs. Please ask for help when it comes to addiction. Please ask for help if you’re being led down a bad path. Please choose a life; choose hope. Please, choose a future."

The funeral mass concluded with the Liverpool FC anthem, "You Will Never Walk Alone," with Fr. Chestnutt promising the grieving families they "would never walk alone."

Following the funeral, the four family members will be laid to rest in Kilbarry Cemetery.

Two people have appeared in court on charges related to the arson attack.

Cian Stacey, 21, and Jessica Dalton, 31, appeared at a special sitting of Clonmel District Court on Saturday, charged with one count of criminal damage and two counts of assault causing serious harm.

Both were remanded in custody to appear before Waterford District Court on Tuesday.

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.