Man and woman in court on charges related to fatal Waterford arson attack

A man and a woman have appeared in court on charges related to an arson attack which claimed four lives in Waterford City.

Cian Stacey, 21, and Jessica Dalton, 31, appeared at a special sitting of Clonmel District Court charged with one count of criminal damage and two counts of assault causing serious harm.

Philip and Kim English and their sons Callum, 12, and Jayden, nine, died in the attack on their home on Tuesday.

Judge Andrew Gubbins presided over the special sitting of the court in Co Tipperary on Saturday evening and was told each defendant faced three charges.

Dalton appeared in court wearing a black sports top and leggings. Stacey wore a grey tracksuit top.

Detective Sergeant Michael Burke told the court that Dalton, with an address in Waterford City, was charged with the three offences at 2.45pm on Saturday at Waterford Garda Station and made no reply.

Her barrister Ciaran Murphy said she consented to being remanded in custody until Tuesday at Waterford District Court.

He made an application for legal aid, saying she was a lone parent and not in employment.

Detective Sergeant Brian O’Callaghan told the court that Stacey, of no fixed address, made no reply when he was charged at 2.44pm at Waterfront Garda Station.

Mr Murphy made no application for bail and Stacey was remanded to appear by videolink on Tuesday at Waterfront District Court.

The lawyer made an application for legal aid.

The funeral for the four victims of the arson attack is due to take place on Monday.