Man arrested over Waterford arson recently released from prison

They are considered low-level criminals. The man, aged in his twenties, was recently released from a prison sentence for burglary.

Gardai are investigating whether the female suspect used her own car in the attack.

Philip and Kim English, and their sons Callum (12) and Jayden (9), died after their house in the Birchwood estate was attacked shortly after 5am on Tuesday morning. Their daughter and another son remain critical in hospital.

The family believe they were targeted after a man known to Mr English ran up a drug debt of up to €20,000.

One of the current lines of inquiry being followed in the murder of a Waterford family is whether the attack was given on the order of a Traveller gang boss.

The son of victim Philip English, 20 year-old John James English said he knows who was involved and he is not scared of them.

Gardai detained the two suspects under anti-gangland laws on suspicion of facilitating the gang involved.

They can be held for up to seven days while detectives investigate whether they were involved.

Speaking on Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio 1 on Friday morning, local Priest Father Chesnut said: “There is just a deep, deep sense of sadness around here, around our entire city, and people are still in shock. They’re heartbroken. They’re devastated and they can’t understand how this would happen and why this would happen.

“What happened should never have happened, and people are entitled to feel angry because it’s a natural reaction when something that is so horrendous takes place to a family that were absolutely completely innocent and loved in the area in which they lived.

“As I’ve already said, and I think as other people have said, it’s most important if you have anything at all, no matter how trivial you might think it might be, please report that to An Garda Síochána.

“Those responsible should and must face justice. It is what the English family are entitled to. It is what the people of this country are entitled to.”

The funeral mass for the four family members will take place on Monday at the Sacred Heart Church in Waterford city at 1pm.