“He will always be our little Ellie Bellie”

Elliot English was laid to rest with his family today 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 last Friday (November 6) at Crumlin Children’s Hospital.

He is now 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 to 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.

"Our Ellie Bellie"

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 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 ever forget.

“Elliot was held by someone who loved him so dearly,” she said.

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.” 

Men, women and children wept as Elliot’s cousin Hannah sang ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’.

Father Chestnutt welcomed the mourners to gather at the Butler Community Centre after the burial. The centre became a place of refuge in the immediate aftermath of the Birchwood tragedy.

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 flowers in the shape of a Liverpool jersey.