'I’m lost for words... we were one big happy family' - Anne English
Anne English former wife of Philip speaks to the media in Birchwood. Photos: Joe Evans
The former wife of Philip English has spoken of her profound heartbreak following the deaths of Philip, his wife Kim, and their two young sons, Callum and Jayden, describing a family left devastated by an unimaginable loss.
As family and friends, including Philip’s father Paddy, left off balloons near the site of Tuesday morning's tragedy, Anne English found herself in tears as she spoke to the media at the Garda cordon at Birchwood.
She is still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy that has shattered lives and left an entire community in mourning. It has also emerged that Anne lived with the couple and their children for a period of eight weeks when her own home was subjected to a petrol bomb attack back in May of this year.
"We're one big happy family, all of us," she said quietly. "I just have no words. I'm lost."
"Kim was my best friend. A best friend to all of us."
Anne heard the news in a phone call from a family member, a moment Anne says will stay with her forever.
"I jumped out of the bed when I got the call and woke up by two boys," she recalled. "Since then, I'm just numb. I'm just shocked."
Speaking lovingly of Philip, Anne said family was always at the centre of his life. As the father of 14 children, he remained devoted to his family and took enormous pride in those closest to him.
"We were very close," she said. "We were all together, brothers and sisters and children. We were a family. That's why this is so hard to believe."
Anne said both Philip and Kim were devoted parents who cared deeply for their children and for those around them.
"They were a lovely couple. They kept themselves to themselves and looked after the children. The kids were their lives."
As the reality of the loss sinks in, Anne said the grief extends well beyond the immediate family. "This is devastating for everyone. For the family, friends, neighbours, the schools and the whole community. Everyone is heartbroken."
She also appealed to anyone who may be able to help investigators to come forward, saying answers are desperately needed for a family left searching for understanding amid overwhelming grief.
