A “beautiful family who did no wrong to anybody” was killed in an arson attack in the Irish city of Waterford and were the innocent victims of a “web of evil”, their funeral mass heard.
Philip and Kim (nee Companjen) English and their sons, 12-year-old Callum and nine-year-old Jayden, died after their home was attacked last Tuesday in the Birchwood estate area.
Two other children, aged six and 14, were rushed from the scene to hospital, where they remain in critical condition.
Hundreds gathered for the funeral mass at Sacred Heart Church on Monday, while thousands more watched the service online.
Callum and Jayden's white coffins rested on the Altar, flanked by their parents’ coffins.
It was a day of “unbelievable grief and sadness” for the English and Companjen families, the community in Waterford and the entire nation, Parish priest Father Gerry Chestnutt said.
Father Chestnutt said that an “act of total evil” left a family and community devastated and heartbroken.
“I acknowledge, on behalf of all, our gratitude that the first responders did everything possible to save the lives of the family,” he said.
“On Tuesday morning, a force of darkness organised, came in the dark and devastated a family, taking away four innocent lives.
“Heartbroken, shocked, devastated, and yes, anger. What comforting words can find this day? Maybe no words, but your presence here says so much. For the families, you have received in so many ways an outpouring of love and support, which you can be assured will continue this day on.”
Bishop for Waterford and Lismore Alphonsus Cullinan said it was “heart-wrenching” to see four coffins on the altar.
He also said that lives are being destroyed by drugs across the country.
“Four beautiful innocent lives have been taken. Two loving, devoted parents who did their best for their children,” he added.
“Innocent victims of a web of evil, which is the drug trade. And as a country, I ask: Have we really faced up to this problem? It is a fact that in every city, every town, and village, and townland, harmful drugs are available.
“Up and down this dear land of ours, some people are turning to drugs.
“Young lives and the lives of the not so young are being destroyed by drugs, and those who work behind the scenes need to see the consequences of their dark trade and atone for their sin.
“I encourage anyone with information to convey it confidentially to the authorities. Pope Francis often said, “Everything is connected”. So anyone who deals in drugs is contributing to a deadly darkness.
“Anyone in Ireland who thinks that there is no harm in taking a line of cocaine on the weekend is utterly mistaken, and is also feeding this evil machine. The use of drugs is a choice, and it is a physical and spiritual problem.
“I do not come to judge. I come to ask you all to join me in saying, this must stop.
“We must see what is happening to our country and our communities, and if the demand for drugs dries up, then the supply disappears. Please join with me in proclaiming that there is another way to live, a better way to live.”
‘Salt of the earth’
Paying tribute to the family and community in the Waterford area, Fr Chestnutt described them as the “salt of the earth”.
“I speak to you now directly, the grieving community of the Sacred Heart Parish, for you are, always have been and always will be the salt of the earth and the light of community life,” he said.
“Over all the years, you have stood together as a community that cared about each other in times when pockets were empty, hearts were full, and you always reached out to each other in times of joy and success, and especially times of sadness and grief.
“You have stood tall with each other. This community is stronger and better than those forces who choose to hide or hide in the dark. You are a beacon of light, the salt of the earth, and people of loving and embracing heart.
“This community grieves because it loved, it lost and built on a solid foundation of love and support.
“For you, of course, the English and Companjen families, these days have been devastating. The love and support of this community to you is guaranteed in a way etched in stone.
“We know that you’re hardworking. Philip, Kim and the children were a regular family, great parents for their children. And as parents, their principal focus was always on their children.”
He said that their children had individual personalities, who were loved by all who knew them.
“Philip English – the photographs you’ve seen sum him up. There was always a smile on his face. He was funny, lovable, sensitive, and caring, family was always in priority,” Fr Chestnutt added.
“Philip and Kim, yes, husband and wife, but companions in life, but a different personality to Philip, vocal, feisty. We all know the most loving, kind, and caring person you could come across.
“As parents, they adored their children.
“Their lives as a family were the journey of love, and there are many journeys as three of their children face significant illness. But through all of that, as a family completely united and dedicated.
“Callum, that mischievous smile.”
“A lovable rogue, you did in your own wonderful way, test and tease the people’s patience, family, friends, principal and teachers.
“Callum, you were loved by all. In this community, embedded for years, is Johnville Football Club.
“Everybody in the club is heartbroken.
“A dark deed took life from you, but your light will shine forever, because in our hearts, you are a star, and you are a winner.
“Jayden, a force of love, life, and energy, bonded into the world when you were born, boundless energy. You rarely stayed still, you were full of fun and mischief. Very often you are heard before you were seen.
“Life will never dull at home.
“On my behalf and behalf of everybody else, we as a community say to you, Philip, Kim, Callum, and Jayden, thank you for being the people that you were, yourselves, a beautiful family who did no wrong to anybody.
“We are all better for knowing you, for you were the salt of the earth. You were light in this community.”
He also prayed for the two children in hospital.
‘Choose hope’
President Catherine Connolly, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris were represented by their aides-de-camp.
The Government was represented by chief whip Mary Butler and Minister for State John Cummins. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and party colleague David Cullinane were also in attendance.
Kim’s sister also spoke during the mass, and said that Kim and Philip loved each other unconditionally.
She also paid tribute to her nephews, describing them as two beautiful boys.
Philip’s cousin also appealed to people to stop using drugs and to ask for help.
“I also want to mention to the young people in our city that are here today, and I suppose around the country, please walk away from drugs,” he said.
“Please ask for help when it comes to addiction. Please ask for help if you’ve been led down a bad path.
“Please choose a life. Choose hope. Please, most certainly, choose a future.”
You’ll Never Walk Alone was played as the coffins were lead out the church, ahead of the burial at 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.
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