RTÉ: Funeral Held for Elliot English in Waterford After Arson Attack

Carried into the church as the hymn May the Road Rise to Meet You played, six-year-old Elliot English became the fifth member of his family to be laid to rest following a fatal arson attack in Waterford city.

According to RTÉ, the requiem mass took place at the Sacred Heart Church in The Folly on Friday, November 13, nearly four weeks after the blaze at their home in Birchwood.

Heartbroken Mourners Pack Waterford Church As English Family Laid To Rest After Arson Horror — SnD Media

Elliot died on November 6 at Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin, three weeks after the October 13 attack that claimed the lives of his parents, Kim and Philip, and his brothers, 12-year-old Callum and nine-year-old Jayden, as RTÉ reported. His father Philip, mother Kim, and brothers Callum and Jayden were previously laid to rest from the same church, where their Month’s Mind mass was also celebrated during Friday’s service.

Waterford broadcaster Damien Tiernan, speaking to Newstalk ahead of the funeral, said that Elliot had been a battler who underwent open-heart surgery as an infant after being born with a heart defect.

RTÉ: Funeral Held for Elliot English in Waterford After Arson Attack — Photo: Newstalk

Family members requested that bright colours be worn to honor the boy’s vibrant spirit, and mourners carried images of cartoon characters that he adored, as reported by Newstalk. His aunt, Jackie, delivered the eulogy through tears.

“For anyone who knew Elliot, you’ll know he was a little boy who left his mark on the people around him.”

she told the congregation, according to Newstalk.

Funeral of child killed in Waterford arson attack takes place — Newstalk

“He was only six years old, but he gave us memories and moments that we’ll carry for the rest of our lives. To us he will always be our little Ellie Belly.”

The fire at the Birchwood home also injured a 14-year-old girl who was rescued alongside Elliot by firefighters, according to RTÉ. She continues to receive treatment at Children’s Health Ireland in Crumlin, where hospital staff reported she remains in a serious but stable condition.

Legal proceedings in connection with the arson attack are underway. Two people have appeared before the district court in Waterford charged in connection with the incident, RTÉ reported. Another four individuals were arrested for questioning and subsequently released without charge, with files currently being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Rip funeral details announced for boy who died from injuries in waterford arson attack — Photo: Waterford Live

Following Friday’s mass at the Sacred Heart Church, the funeral cortege passed by the family home in Birchwood before proceeding to Kilbarry Cemetery, where Elliot was buried alongside his parents and brothers, according to RIP.ie and RTÉ.

Family flowers only were requested for the service, with donations directed in lieu to Crumlin Children’s Hospital, as detailed by RIP.ie.