‘Brought home’ - Heartbreaking farewell for six-year-old Elliot English
Elliot English’s parents, Kim and Phillip English, and their sons, Callum and Jayden, also died following the fire at their house in October
A funeral has been held for the six-year-old boy who died from the injuries he sustained in an arson attack in Waterford city.
Mourners at the funeral of Elliot English were told he has been “brought home” to his parents and siblings, who were also killed in the blaze.
Elliot, who received critical injuries during the fire at his home on October 13, died at Children’s Health Ireland, Crumlin, last week.
His parents, Kim and Phillip English, and their sons, Callum and Jayden, also died after the attack at the house on the Birchwood Estate.
Elliot’s aunt, Jackie, told the funeral service at Sacred Heart Church, in Waterford, that he “was a little boy who left his mark on the people around him”.
“He was only six years old, but he gave us memories and moments that would carry for the rest of our lives,” she said.
“To us, he will always be our little Ellie Bellie.”
She added: “Our Ellie Bellie, you fought so hard, little man. I hope the peace you feel now is as gentle as the love you left behind.
“Kim, Phillip, 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.”
Father Gerry Chestnutt said Elliott was “a power of energy and of love” and his “infectious smile and love of life will never, ever be forgotten”.
He told mourners: “The entire community of this parish, this city, this country, is in a union of love with you, the families who mourn this day.
“This community is heartbroken with you and for you, but it’s also here to promise you love and support that is stronger than any other bad power on this earth.
“This community cannot understand this tragedy. They cannot get their heads around why anybody or anybodies would do something knowing, at the very least, it was going to cause a great deal of damage, but ultimately it took five lives from a family.
“On that Tuesday morning, in darkness, a force of darkness, directed by other forces of darkness, shattered the English and Companjen families by taking five innocent lives.
“You, as a family, want and you deserve justice, and I plead today that anybody, everybody, of goodwill will continue 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.”
Fr Chestnutt said Mr and Mrs English “did everything to save the family” when the suspected arson attack on their home took place in the early hours of the morning of October 13.
He said: “There is no greater love than this, than to lay down your lives for your family. Heroes, each one of them.”
The priest concluded his homily: “To you, Elliot, six years old, power of God.
“God has brought you home to an embrace of love, wrapped in his arms and the arms of your parents and of your siblings.
“Rest in peace, beautiful boy, always loved and forever remembered.”