Arrests Made in Fatal Waterford House Fire
Investigation into blaze that killed family of four continues as police probe deliberate attack.
Carla Rooney
A man and a woman have been arrested in connection with a fatal house fire in Birchwood, Waterford.
An Garda Síochána conducts extensive searches, seizing electronic devices and vehicles as part of the ongoing investigation. Gardaí investigate the incident as a suspected arson attack, believing the fire started deliberately.
The Waterford Fire Service received an alert about the blaze at 5:13 am on Tuesday.
John James English, a relative of the deceased, claims his family was targeted and murdered due to an unrelated individual's 20,000 euro drug debt. He further claims gangland figures in the city terrorized the family for years over a £17,000 drug debt owed by someone known to them.
John James English indicated that My family was targeted and murdered due to an unrelated individual's 20,000 euro drug debt.
The family car was targeted with a petrol bomb three weeks prior to the fatal attack; no injuries were reported at that time. John James English also claims the home of Philip's ex-wife, Anne, was previously targeted in another petrol bomb attack.
Local reports suggest police believe a Traveller gang leader may have ordered the deadly attack. An Garda Síochána withholds post-mortem examination findings.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin pledges government support for the investigation. In the community, over 100 members released balloons in honor of the victims, and local support services and vigils have been arranged.