Man and woman appear in court charged in connection with Waterford arson attack

A man and woman have appeared in court charged in connection with a fatal arson attack in Waterford city.

Jessica Dalton (31), with an address in Waterford city, appeared before a special sitting of Clonmel District Court this afternoon.

Cian Stacey (21), of no fixed abode, also appeared before the court.

They were each charged with one count of criminal damage and two counts of assault causing serious harm.

The Section 4 assault charges relate to offences against individuals who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Garda Sergeant Michael Burke of Waterford Garda Station gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Ms Dalton.

The court heard that she made no reply to each of the three charges.

Barrister Ciarán Murphy, representing the accused, applied for legal aid on behalf of his client.

He said that Ms Dalton is unemployed and a lone parent.

Judge Andrew Gubbins granted this request for legal aid.

She was remanded in custody to appear before Waterford District Court on Tuesday, October 20.

Detective Sergeant Brian O’Callaghan gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Mr Stacey.

Similarly, he made no reply to each of the charges put to him.

Mr Murphy told the court that the accused suffers from depression and requested that a psychiatric assesment be carried out.

Judge Gubbins granted this request, as well as a request for legal aid.

Mr Murphy also requested that the accused be remanded in Cork Prison instead of Limerick Prison.

However, Judge Gubbins said this was a matter for the Prison Service.

Mr Stacey was also remanded in custody, to appear via video-link before Waterford District Court on Tuesday.

Gardaí are continuing with their murder investigation into the arson attack in Birchwood on Tuesday last.

Philip and Kim English, along with their children Callum and Jayden, died in the house fire which occurred in Birchwood in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Gardaí are continuing to appeal to any person who has information in relation to the incident to come forward.

In particular, they are looking to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity of Birch Avenue, Birchwood, between 4:30am and 5:30am on Tuesday morning.

The investigation team can be contacted at the incident room at Waterford Garda Station on 051 305300, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.