Man and woman charged in Waterford arson case appear in court

A man and a woman appeared in Clonmel District Court on Saturday on charges linked to the arson attack that killed four members of the English family in Waterford City.

Cian Stacey, 21, and Jessica Dalton, 31, were each charged with one count of criminal damage and two counts of assault causing serious harm. Both defendants made no reply to the charges when they were formally informed at Waterford and Waterfront Garda Stations.

Detective Sergeant Michael Burke told the court that Dalton, who lives in Waterford City, was charged at 2.45 pm on Saturday at Waterford Garda Station. Her barrister, Ciaran Murphy, said she consented to be remanded in custody until Tuesday at Waterford District Court and applied for legal aid, noting she is a lone parent and unemployed.

Detective Sergeant Brian O’Callaghan said Stacey, who has no fixed address, was charged at 2.44 pm at Waterfront Garda Station. No bail application was made for Stacey; he was remanded to appear by videolink on Tuesday at Waterfront District Court, with his lawyer also seeking legal aid.

The victims – Philip and Kim English and their sons Callum, 12, and Jayden, nine – died in the fire on Tuesday. Their funeral is scheduled for Monday.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: kazuyoshi sakamoto / Pexels.