‘Hold onto your loved one and wrap them in love’: Hundreds gather for Birchwood family vigil

Hundreds of mourners packed the Sacred Heart Church in The Folly on Tuesday evening as Waterford came together to remember Philip English, Kim English and their young sons, Callum and Jayden.

Young and old filled the church for an emotional prayer vigil led by Fr Gerry Chestnutt, with Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan among those in attendance, as a devastated community sought comfort and solidarity in the wake of a tragedy that has shocked the city.

Inside a the packed church, neighbours, friends, family members, school communities and complete strangers gathered to support the grieving English family.

At the beginning of the vigil, Fr Chestnutt urged those present to hold their loved ones close and to draw strength from one another in the difficult days ahead.

"Hold on to your loved ones," he told the congregation. "Wrap them in love. Give them a hug."

The simple but heartfelt message resonated throughout the church as mourners reflected on the fragility of life and the devastating loss that has shaken the community.

Music provided some of the most poignant moments of the evening. Accompanied on piano by Catherine Power, singer Sarah Jane Lavery delivered a moving rendition of In the Arms of an Angel, a song that seemed to capture the heartbreak and sorrow felt throughout the congregation.

In an emotional address, Fr Chestnutt acknowledged that many were struggling to find the right words.

"Our hearts are broken, especially at this moment," he said.

"Despite this being a very big parish in terms of numbers, it is a very close-knit community."

Referring to the events that unfolded in Birchwood Avenue, Fr Chestnutt said the tragedy was almost impossible to comprehend.

"Each one of us knows that what happened in Birchwood Avenue should never, ever have happened," he said.

"An innocent family preparing for a new day should have done what they did every day, parents preparing their children for school.

"An innocent family taken from our midst in the most horrific and violent way."

The priest acknowledged the profound hurt felt throughout Waterford but paid particular tribute to residents of Birchwood, many of whom have lived side-by-side since the estate was established more than two decades ago.

"For many of you who moved into the estate around the same time, strangers became neighbours and neighbours became friends," he said.

"The wider community is broken and I can say this to you, the school community is absolutely devastated."

Fr Chestnutt also noted the presence of many people who may not have known the family personally but had come to show their support.

"Everybody is welcome," he said. "People want to be here to show solidarity."

Speaking warmly of Philip and Kim, Fr Chestnutt said he had known both of them well over the years.

"I would have known Philip and Kim quite well," he said.

"Philip was a great man to talk to. A little bit quieter than Kim. Kim was feisty, and I say that with confidence."

But above all else, he said, they were devoted parents whose lives revolved around their children.

"Everything they did was for their children," he said.

"That photograph on the table is a beautiful photograph of a united family of parents and children who adored each other."

Recalling the children, Fr Chestnutt described Callum as a "cheeky boy" who was dearly loved, while also remembering young Jayden and the challenges he had faced during his short life.

"We are better for knowing them," he said. "We will all remember them."

Earlier in the evening, family, friends and local residents gathered at the scene of the tragedy for a poignant balloon release.

Among those present was Philip's father, Paddy English, as dozens of balloons were released into the evening sky in memory of Philip, Kim, Callum and Jayden.

As darkness fell and prayers were offered inside the Sacred Heart Church, the overwhelming message was one of love, support and togetherness.

In a city searching for answers and struggling to process an unimaginable loss, hundreds stood shoulder to shoulder in grief, united in their determination that Philip, Kim, Callum and Jayden will never be forgotten.