It has emerged that the young boy who died in a house fire along with his parents and brother, had undergone heart surgery two weeks ago.
Nine year old Jayden English, along with his older brother, Callum, died in the house fire in Waterford, following an arson attack. Two other children who were in the house when the blaze occurred, were taken to hospital with critical injuries.
It has since been reported that Jayden had a heart condition, attending regular appointments in Dublin via BUMBLEance, Ireland's dedicated children's ambulance service.
Speaking to RTÉ, Una Quish, a family friend from Limerick, said she got to know the family, as their children both had heart-related issues and were being treated at CHI Crumlin nine years ago.
She revealed that she came to know Jayden as her son Noah was also a patient at the same hospital.
"Our two boys were having surgery around the same time and that's when we met the family", she said."We met them once since but we always stayed in contact, always getting advice off each other about upcoming hospital stays".
She continued: "Kim would have actually mailed a few weeks ago for Jayden's upcoming appointment just asking for advice, so that was the last time I had heard from her".
She revealed that she saw the news of the fire when she logged onto Facebook and saw the English family's photos.
"She always kept going. They did have a hard life. Poor little Jayden had it tough as well", Ms Quish said. "I think it's absolutely shocking what has happened, nobody deserves that".
Elsewhere, Áine Phelan a Waterford paramedic who had worked with BUMBLEance, and said it was an "absolute privilege" of travelling on ambulance journeys with Jayden.
She added that she was trying to come to terms with what had happened and added that her thoughts were with the family in the "sad, sad days ahead".
It has been confirmed that a prayer vigil will take place in Waterford City for the family, which will take place at the Sacred Heart Church, The Folly, Waterford city at 5pm.
The Diocese of Waterford and Lismore said on social media: "We invite the people of Waterford to come together in prayer for those who have lost their lives, their grieving families and loved ones and all those affected by this terrible tragedy."
"May those who have died rest in eternal peace, and may their families find strength, comfort and consolation in the prayers and support of our community," it added.
President Catherine Connolly said that she was shocked at the deaths of the family members.
In a statement yesterday, she said: "May I join with all of those who have expressed such shock following the horrific killing of a couple and two of their children...in Waterford and express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of those who have lost their lives.
"This was an appalling attack and all of our thoughts are with the two children currently in critical condition in hospital for a full recovery and with the first responders who have been on the scene and treating them". (All quotes in this piece according to RTÉ).
