Ellie Bellie's Last Goodbye: Waterford Mourns Arson Victim As Funeral Demands Murder Justice

The funeral of six-year-old Elliot English has taken place at the Sacred Heart Church in Waterford, where he was laid to rest alongside his parents and two brothers, all of whom died following the deliberate arson attack on their home in the Birchwood estate. Hundreds of mourners gathered for the poignant Requiem Mass, which also served as the Month's Mind for his family, culminating in burial at Kilbarry Cemetery. The service was concelebrated by Fr Gerry Chestnutt and Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, with teachers from Scoil Lorcáin forming a guard of honour. Mourners wore white t-shirts emblazoned with "RIP Ellie Bellie" and characters from the children's cartoon Paw Patrol, reflecting the family's request for bright colours in celebration of Elliot's life.

Daily Dazzling Dawn learned that Elliot's aunt, Jackie, delivered a devastatingly raw tribute to a boy she described as having "left a mark on people around him." She told the congregation: "He was only six years old, but he gave us memories and moments that we would carry for the rest of our lives. To us, he will always be our little Ellie Bellie." The attack on 7 Birch Avenue in the early hours of Tuesday, 13 October 2026 claimed the lives of Elliot's father Philip, his mother Kim, and his brothers Callum, 12, and Jayden, 9. Elliot and his fourteen-year-old sister Nadia were rescued from the blaze by firefighters and treated at Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin, Dublin. Elliot died there on Friday, 6 November 2026. His sister remains in hospital, and the funeral heard how she was present for his final moments. "In the middle of such fear and chaos, they had each other," his aunt said. "Elliot was held by someone who loved him so dearly."

An Garda Síochána continues to investigate the fire as a multiple murder. Two people have been brought before the courts in connection with the attack. Daily Dazzling Dawn understands that Jessica Dalton, 31, with an address in Waterford city, and Cian Stacey, 21, of no fixed abode, have been charged with one count of criminal damage and two counts of assault causing serious harm under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. They were remanded in custody and are due to appear before Waterford District Court by video link on 17 November 2026. Neither has been charged with murder. A further four individuals were arrested under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 and subsequently released without charge, with files prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. The arrests included a man in his 50s and two women in their 30s detained on 20 October, and a man in his 20s arrested on 22 October. Gardaí have consistently stated that the English family had no involvement in criminality.

Fr Chestnutt used his homily to denounce the "force of darkness" that claimed the family's lives, stating: "On that Tuesday morning, a darkness, directed by another force of darkness, shattered the English and Companjen families by taking five innocent lives." He urged the community to support An Garda Síochána in bringing those responsible to justice, adding: "Those responsible have no heart, no soul, no conscience. This community, this family, is all soul, all heart, and filled with love." The funeral also heard a powerful plea from Elliot's cousin, Ray Power, who spoke directly to those involved in the drugs trade: "Leave our children alone. While you are counting your money, families are counting their losses."

As the hearse departed for Kilbarry Cemetery, mourners observed a small white coffin adorned with Paw Patrol stickers and flowers arranged in the shape of a Liverpool jersey. Elliot's cousin Hannah sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and a representative for President Catherine Connolly attended the service alongside Chief Superintendent Anthony Pettit. Fr Chestnutt concluded his homily with a final blessing for the child: "To you, Elliot, six years old, power of God. God has brought you home to an embrace of love, wrapped in his arms and the arms of your parents and of your siblings. Rest in peace, beautiful boy, always loved and forever remembered."