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Two charged in connection with fatal Waterford house fire

Cian Stacey and Jessica Dalton appeared at Clonmel District Court over the fire that killed four members of the English family.

Two defendants appeared in court on Saturday, 17 October, charged with criminal damage and assault causing serious harm in connection with the fatal fire at a family home in Waterford. Four members of the English family died, while two other children remain in critical condition in hospital. Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said investigators carried out seven searches and seized items for examination.

Charges heard at special court sitting

Cian Stacey, 21, and Jessica Dalton, 31, appeared at a special sitting of Clonmel District Court on Saturday, 17 October. Each was charged with one count of criminal damage and two counts of assault causing serious harm. The assault charges relate to two people who cannot be named for legal reasons.

The court heard that both defendants made no reply when the charges were put to them. Neither applied for bail, and both were remanded in custody pending further appearances at Waterford District Court on Tuesday. The charges are allegations and do not constitute findings of guilt.

Four family members died; two children remain critically ill

The fire at the family home in Waterford on Tuesday killed Philip and Kim English and their sons Callum, 12, and Jayden, nine. The deaths are the subject of an ongoing Garda investigation.

Two other children survived the fire and were reported to be in critical condition in hospital. The supplied accounts identify them as a 14-year-old girl and a six-year-old boy; they are not named for legal reasons.

Searches and items seized in the investigation

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said investigators had conducted seven searches of houses in connection with the investigation and seized a number of items. Gardaí said the seized items were taken for examination. Kelly also said the force had given the investigation every resource and that further arrests were expected.

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Understand the organisational hierarchy of An Garda Síochána and the role of the Garda Commissioner in national policing.

Organisational structure - Garda.ie

The page outlines the structure, responsibilities, and executive directors of the force, providing context for how investigations like the Waterford fire are overseen.

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