The family of six, whose home was attacked in Waterford City yesterday, had previously had their car petrol bombed, a local journalist has revealed. 

Kim English, Philip English and their sons, 12-year-old Callum and nine-year-old Jayden died after their home in Birchwood was set alight in the early hours of Tuesday morning. 

Their two other children remain in a critical condition in Crumlin Children’s Hospital. 

Gardaí have since launched a murder enquiry, with drug debt intimidation understood to be a central line of enquiry. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, journalist Damien Tiernan said he knew the English family and described Philip and Kim as a “very happily married couple”. 

“They loved each other immensely,” he recalled. 

“I know that because I knew Philip; he contacted me a few years ago about a personal story and I put him in touch with a close friend of mine and he confided in me about his childhood.

“I would describe him as a big, wonderful man with a big smile. 

“He'd been through a lot and he had relationships in the past, a number of grown up children and since he met Kim, they were madly, madly in love.” 

Gardaí at the scene of arson attack on a house in the Birchwood estate in Waterford. Picture by: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie.

Mr Tiernan continued that the couple had “four wonderful children” and were devoted to them and their welfare. 

“[Mr English] worked hard in security, was never involved in drugs,” he said. 

“Did his utter best to raise his children the best he could in very difficult circumstances because Nadia had a form of leukemia. 

“They were up and down to Crumlin Children's Hospital, the past few years.

“They needed a specially adapted car for one of the other children. They did everything for the children.” 

The Birchwood estate Waterford. Picture by: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie.

However, it is understood the family felt under threat just before they died. 

Three years ago, Mr English called Mr Tiernan to say that someone had thrown paint onto his car. 

“I understand Philip may have been trying to help out someone he knew in relation to a debt owed to another person,” he explained. 

“On Friday, September the 18th this year, less than a month ago, 17 minutes past four in the morning, he texted me and this is what was on the message, ‘Hi Damien, please call me, it's urgent. My car got petrol bombed. Philip.’” 

The pair spoke and Mr English made clear that he believed that his house could have burnt down and he was afraid for his children. 

He arranged to meet Gardaí, who duly issued an appeal for information. 

On 13th October their house was attacked; Gardaí believe a petrol bomb was thrown into the property, which quickly filled it with thick black smoke. 

When the family screamed for help, neighbours arrived to help but were unable to rescue them. 

Gardaí have asked for anyone with any information in relation to the attack on the English family to contact Waterford Garda Station.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family with funeral costs.

Main image: Kim and Philip English: Picture by: Go Fund Me.