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An Garda Síochána announced that a man aged in his 50s and two women in their 30s detained on October 20 have been released without charge following questioning over the fatal arson attack. The force stated that a file will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions as the multiple murder investigation continues. A fourth person, a man in his 20s arrested two days later, remains in custody, with gardaí confirming that inquiries are ongoing.[[1]](https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/2026/10/24/gardai-release-three-people-after-questioning-over-fatal-arson-attack-in-waterford-city/)
The attack occurred shortly after 5am on October 13 when the family home on Birch Avenue in the Birchwood estate was targeted with a petrol bomb. Philip English, his wife Kim and their sons Callum, aged 12, and Jayden, aged 9, died in the resulting fire while two other young children were rescued and remain in critical condition at Children’s Health Ireland in Crumlin. Gardaí have described the incident as a deliberate act that has been upgraded to a multiple murder inquiry.[[2]](https://www.waterfordlive.ie/news/crime-courts/three-people-arrested-in-connection-with-waterford-arson-attack-released-without-charge-9307560)
The Irish Times reported that the family was targeted over a €20,000 drug debt incurred by an associate rather than any direct involvement by the victims. The newspaper cited sources indicating that a local violent drug gang with connections to Spain is suspected of commissioning the attack as intimidation. Previous incidents had already affected the household, including vandalism of their vehicle with gloss paint in August 2023 and a separate petrol bomb attempt the month before the fatal blaze.[[3]](https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/2026/10/15/waterford-family-murdered-by-gang-in-arson-attack-over-20000-drug-debt-son-says/)
Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane told the Dáil that the attack demonstrated “utter contempt” for human life and called for drug-related intimidation to be confronted head on. He noted that such gangs inflict terror on families who should not have to fear for their safety in their own homes. The remarks, which emphasised the need to protect vulnerable people from violent criminality, were carried by multiple outlets covering the parliamentary session.[[4]](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6rmyk8kkwl2o)
Jessica Dalton, aged 31 and from Waterford city, along with Cian Stacey, aged 21 and of no fixed abode, were charged with criminal damage to the property and have been remanded in custody after appearing in Waterford District Court. Their remand was extended during a hearing on October 21 as the broader probe advanced. An Garda Síochána has now arrested six people in total in relation to the case, according to updates from RTE.[[5]](https://www.rte.ie/news/munster/2026/1024/1596710-waterford-investigation/)
Tributes have continued at the scene where flowers were left in memory of the victims, and the local football club Johnville FC expressed heartbreak over the loss of Callum, who had played for the team. Funeral arrangements announced earlier in the week include a Mass at Sacred Heart Church on Monday followed by burial at Kilbarry Cemetery. The community in Waterford has been left reeling by the scale of the tragedy, as detailed in coverage by the Irish Examiner.
