Elliot English (6) laid to rest alongside parents and siblings as hundreds attend funeral in Waterford
Poignant scenes as the funeral of six-year-old Elliot English took place at the Sacred Heart Church, The Folly in Waterford city. Photo: Joe Evans
Elliot English was laid to rest with his family after a Requiem Mass in Waterford City, one month after the arson attack that killed his mother, father and two brothers. Six-year-old Elliot died on Friday, November 6, at Crumlin Children’s Hospital.
He is the fifth person to die in the arson attack on Birchwood estate. His mother Kim, father Philip, and brothers Callum (12) and Jayden (8) died in the attack that happened in the early hours of Tuesday, October 13.
Their Month’s Mind was held on the same day, Friday, November 13, as Elliot’s funeral.
Hundreds gathered at The Sacred Heart Church in The Folly to say goodbye to this "beautiful boy". Teachers from Scoil Lorcáin stood in a guard of honour for Elliot, wearing green and yellow ribbons on their jackets.
Friends and family wore white t-shirts that read ‘RIP Ellie Bellie’ with characters from the children’s cartoon ‘Paw Patrol’. Elliot, or ‘Ellie Bellie’ as loved ones called him, was described as a happy, joyful child who always had a smile on his face.
Father Gerry Chestnutt said to the English and Companjen families: “It is mourning and grief that brings you here, but all it was is love that stays in your hearts.”
Elliot’s aunt Jackie spoke with heartbreaking detail about her beloved nephew who "left a mark on people around him".
She said: “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.”
Jackie spoke about the deep bond between Elliot and his sister Nadia, who is still in hospital, and how she was there for his last moments: “In the middle of such fear and chaos, they had each other. Their quiet moments together is something we will never forget. Elliot was held by someone who loved him so dearly."
Speaking through tears, Jackie hoped that Elliot would be reunited in heaven with his family: “Our Ellie Bellie, who fought so hard, little man. I hope the peace you feel now is as gentle as the love you left behind.
“Kim, Philip, Callum, Jayden, and Elliot. I hope that wherever you are, the five of you are together again. No fear, no pain, no suffering, just love and laughter, and the comfort of having each other. May you find the peace that was so cruelly taken from you here.”
From the altar, Father Chestnutt denounced the "force of darkness" that claimed the lives of the English family: "On that Tuesday morning, a darkness, directed by another force of darkness, shattered the English and Companjen families by taking five innocent lives."
He encouraged people to support An Garda Síochána to "bring those responsible to justice".
"Those responsible have no heart, no soul, no conscience. This community, this family, is all soul, all heart, and filled with love," he said.
Cousin Ray Power made a powerful plea against the operators of the drugs trade, saying: "Leave our children alone. While you are counting your money, families are counting their losses. While you're making profits, mothers are crying themselves to sleep, and fathers are facing an unimaginable pain of losing their children. These young people are not your customers. They are somebody's babies."
Men, women and children wept as Elliot’s cousin Hannah sang ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’.
Father Chestnutt and Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan welcomed mourners to gather at the Butler Community Centre after the burial. A representative for President Catherine Connolly, Chief Superintendent Anthony Pettit, Fianna Fáil TD Mary Butler and Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane attended the service.
As the hearse pulled away towards Kilbarry Cemetery, mourners could see the little white coffin covered in Paw Patrol stickers, alongside flowers in the shape of a Liverpool jersey.
