'There cannot be outrage today and silence tomorrow' - call for change after Birchwood tragedy
Flowers and tributes at the house in Birchwood Estate where two adults and two children lost their lives. Photo: Joe Evans
Waterford City and County councillors expressed their shock, sympathies and upset over the tragedy, which has unfolded in Waterford this week, as a family was "snuffed out on the altar of greed and violence and drugs" in the city on Tuesday (October 13) morning, with four killed and two children left "fighting for their lives" in Crumlin Hospital.
The October meeting of the Metropolitan District Council was held on Thursday, October 15, just two days after the fatal house fire, which brought devastation to Waterford.
At the meeting, Mayor of the Metropolitan area of Waterford City, Cllr Lola O'Sullivan, and her fellow Waterford City councillors paid tribute to the English family and the wider Birchwood area in Waterford City.
The council items up for discussion at the meeting were postponed until the November meeting in light of the recent tragedy, and instead elected members and representatives of Waterford City and County Council held the meeting to pay their respects to the lives lost, and in tribute to those affected.
Metropolitan Mayor Cllr Lola O'Sullivan started the meeting by expressing her "devastation" by the tragedy, saying, "Our deepest sympathies and thoughts and prayers are with the family and the loved ones of those who so tragically lost their lives in the fatal house fire, Kim, Philip, Callum and Jayden English.
"Our thoughts are also with the two young children in hospital as they face difficult days ahead.
"No one has been untouched by this heartbreaking event; we appeal to neighbours, friends, and the wider community to continue to support one another during this harrowing time.
"The events of recent days have cast a dark shadow over the community," Cllr O'Sullivan continued, encouraging members of the community to visit the community support hub set up by Waterford Council at the Butler Community Centre in St. John's Park for those affected.
"It might just be a cup of tea, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, but at a time like this, compassion for one another is more important than ever," she said.
Each councillor reiterated Cllr O'Sullivan's words, particularly those of sympathy to the family, and of tribute to the emergency service workers who faced the 'harrowing scene', and the Birchwood community for their resilience and strength at such a difficult time.
Many councillors shared stories of their experiences with Kim and Philip English, who lost their lives in Tuesday's fire, with Cllr Joanne Bailey commenting that they were a "lovely couple", who, along with their two sons, Callum and Jayden, "should be alive today".
"Callum was cheeky," Cllr Bailey continued, "he enjoyed playing with his friends and with Johnville Football Club. Jayden was (still) building his own personality. His teachers said that he was the best child in school, with a lovely smile.
"Their murder has left Waterford's heart broken.
"Those responsible must face the full force of the law," Cllr Bailey continued, calling on the council to work with the Gardaí and other agencies to support the community and protect families from threats and intimidation, including providing safe accommodation when needed.
"There cannot be outrage today and silence tomorrow. This family deserves justice. Every family deserves to be safe in their own home."
These sentiments were shared by each of the councillors, many of whom had personal experience or relationships with the English family and the people of Birch Avenue.
Cllr Seamus Ryan, who knows the Birchwood area "very well", said it is a "strong community and will remain a strong community".
Cllr Ryan also commented that in the 27 years he has served on the council, this is the most difficult time the council and the people of Waterford have faced, adding that he doesn't remember a single tragedy such as this.
Many councillors said they hoped this tragedy could bring about "real change" and would be a wake up call for people across the country, with Cllr Jason Murphy saying, "I hope this will be a watershed moment in relation to the fight with organised crime and the scourge that drugs are having on our community, not just here in Waterford, but in every city and town throughout Ireland.
"Sometimes it takes the slaughter of the innocent to bring about real change."
The "hushed tones" of Wednesday night's vigil and prayer service held in the local community now need to be raised to a "clamour", Cllr Mary Roche said, "where we demand, not just hope, demand that changes will now take place to ensure that our communities are safe."
"Because in all honesty," she continued, "the war on drugs has been lost.
"When this can happen in our communities, where children are burned in their own beds, with their mother and their father, and practically an entire family, and two young children are in beds in Crumlin hospital.
"It is unacceptable."
The devastation and upset the people of Waterford are facing this week was evident in City Hall, seen clearly on the councillor's faces, heard in the councillor's words, and felt by the entire room when a number of elected members spoke through tears, or could be seen holding them back.
In light of the devastation in the community, each councillor made a point of commending the people of Waterford, and the people of Birchwood in particular, for how they have rallied together in the most difficult of circumstances.
Cllr Adam Wyse said, "What I saw up in that estate after this event has given me great pride for the people of Waterford, because to see the community come together, to see people from all over Waterford venture down to knock on doors and ask residents and neighbours what do they need. I just hope that that continues."
Cllr Joe Kelly also commended the "healing" power of togetherness he himself witnessed in the Sacred Heart Church at Wednesday night's vigil for the English family.
After many comments, condolences, sympathies and tributes were paid, the elected members, representatives of Waterford City and County Council, and the press held a minute of silence for the English family, and the people of Birch Avenue.
