Waterford couple had requested to move house before arson attack

Two children remain in hospital.

A paint-bomb attack was carried out on the house over two years, ago, and a more recent arson attack took place more recently.

Two of their children died alongside them 12 year-old Callum and nine year-old Jayden. Two children remain in hospital are Nadia who is 14 and Elliot is six.

Callum's local football club Johnville FC said: "Kim and Philip were familiar and friendly faces around our club, always there supporting Callum at his matches. It is incredibly difficult to comprehend that a family we knew so well has been taken from us in such tragic circumstances."

An Garda Síochána have commenced a murder investigation into the arson attack and fatal house fire which is believed to have started with a petrol bomb.

One source told JOE that the family had a number of issues with the house and the area.

The council doesn't transfer people on the basis of anti-social behaviour, but the family did report medical issues and overcrowding as well as intimidation in their home, over a number of years.

They had spoken with multiple, TDs, Waterford council, and a number of councillors.

Local sources say there may have been an issue over debt.

An incident room has been set up at Waterford Garda Station and a senior investigating officer (SIO) has been appointed. Family Liaison Officers have also been appointed.

An Garda Siochána are appealing to any person with any information on this multiple murder and arson attack to contact the Garda investigation team.

Emergency services are at the house in the Birchwood estate, just 3km outside of Waterford city centre, in the St John's Park area of the city.

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

Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane, who knows the family who lived in the house, said it was shocking and devastating.

"Obviously there is shock, but people will know the family and there is absolute heartbreak when you have children involved as well. So it's obviously very emotional," he said.

"I knew the family very well. In fact, I only met him very recently, so I'm in shock myself still and my heart is broke."