A man and a woman have appeared in court, facing charges relating to an arson attack in the Irish city of Waterford that killed four members of the same family.

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

Two other children remain in critical condition in hospital following the fire.

Cian Stacey, 21, and Jessica Dalton, 31, were both arrested on Thursday. They appeared at a special sitting of Clonmel District Court in Co Tipperary on Saturday evening.

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

Judge Andrew Gubbins presided over the special sitting of the court.

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

Both defendants had covered their faces with blankets as they arrived at the court.

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 that 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 in Waterford.

Gardaí have carried out several searches and seized a number of items in the investigation, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said on Friday.

He said that he expects more arrests in the murder investigation and that An Garda Síochána has “given every resource” to investigating the deaths.

Subscribe here to get the latest updates from The Independent.