Waterford has gathered this afternoon to say goodbye to Philip and Kim English and their two young sons, Callum and Jayden.

Their joint funeral Mass has concluded at Sacred Heart Church at the Folly, following the deaths of the four family members in an arson attack on their Birchwood home last Tuesday.

Speaking during the funeral Mass, Father Gerry Chestnutt remembered Philip and Kim as devoted parents whose lives centred around their children.

‘Philip, Kim and the children were a regular family, great parents, doing everything for their children.

‘And as parents, their principal focus was always on their children, four beautiful children with individual personalities who are loved by all who knew them.’

Hundreds of people gathered at the church on Sunday as the family lay in repose, with mourners arriving throughout the afternoon to offer their condolences.

Father Chestnutt said the scenes at the church reflected both the depth of grief and the level of support being shown to the family.

He said that in all his years as a priest, he had never encountered anything similar, describing ‘a palpable sense of silence’ as the four coffins arrived.

Father Chestnutt also spoke of the ‘love and support’ being shown to the family from people across Waterford and beyond.

The funeral cortege is due to travel from the church to Kilbarry Cemetery, pausing briefly near the entrance to Birchfield Estate, close to Johnville Football Club, where Callum played football.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald also travelled to Waterford today and spoke to WLR ahead of the funeral.

She praised the strength of the local community, saying the response in recent days had been ‘absolutely magnificent’.

Philip and Kim English and their sons Callum, 12, and Jayden, nine, died following the attack on their home last week.

Two other children were seriously injured and remain in hospital.

Gardaí are continuing their investigation.