Gardaí investigating the murder of four members of the English in a deliberate house fire in Waterford city have said two children injured in the attack remain in critical condition, as they renewed their appeal for witnesses.
A Chief Superintendent has urged those in the community who he says know who carried out the attack to come forward.
Speaking today, Chief Superintendent Pettit of the Waterford/Kilkenny Garda Division said, “There are people in the community who know the person or persons who carried out this arson attack in which 4 people have been murdered.”
He urged anyone with information to contact the investigation team at Waterford Garda Station, call the Garda Confidential Line, or speak to any member of An Garda Síochána they know.
The fire broke out at a house on Birch Avenue in the Birchwood area shortly after 5 am on Tuesday. An Garda Síochána believes the house was attacked by a person or persons unknown and that the fire was started deliberately.
The two children were taken to Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin, where they continue to receive treatment. Gardaí said their condition remains critical.
Post-mortem examinations on the four people who died are continuing at University Hospital Waterford. They are being carried out by Chief State Pathologist Prof. Linda Mulligan and State Pathologist Dr SallyAnne Collis.
The house remains a crime scene and is being examined by the Garda Technical Bureau. Family Liaison Officers are supporting the bereaved family.
“Intense” and “very active” investigation
Gardaí say that their investigation is being coordinated from an incident room at Waterford Garda Station, led by a Senior Investigating Officer and supported by Divisional resources and the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Gardaí described the inquiry as intense in nature and very active. Multiple searches were carried out across a number of premises in Waterford city on Tuesday evening, and a number of electronic devices and vehicles have been seized for technical examination. No arrests have been made.
Gardaí acknowledged the extensive support from the Waterford community, both for the investigation and for the bereaved family.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who was in the vicinity of Birch Avenue, Birchwood, between 4.30 am and 5.30 am on Tuesday, 13th October, to come forward.
They are also asking motorists who were driving in Birchwood or the surrounding roads during that time, and who may have dashcam footage or images, to make it available to investigators.
The investigation team can be contacted at Waterford Garda Station on 051 305300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or at any Garda station.