A mother has been found NOT guilty of murdering her children by reason of insanity.
Deirdre Morley was suffering from a severe mental illness when she killed her two young sons and daughter at their home in Parson’s Court in Newcastle, Co Dublin.
Some readers may find the following report distressing.
BREAKING ⚖️ By reason of insanity, Deirdre Morley (44) has been found NOT guilty of murdering her three children: Conor (9), Darragh (7) and Carla (3) at the family home in Parson's Court, Newcastle, Co Dublin last year.
— Frank Greaney (@FrankGreaney) May 20, 2021
Deliberations For Over Four Hours
It took the jurors just under four and a half hours to reach their special verdicts.
Over the past few days, they heard distressing evidence about how a rapid decline in Deirdre Morley’s mental health towards the end of 2019 led to her killing her children on January 24th last year.
The court heard she suffocated her 3yo daughter, Carla, and her sons, Conor and Darragh, who were aged 9 and 7 after developing a delusional belief that she was a bad mother who had ruined their lives.
Two forensic psychiatrists were in agreement that she was suffering from a severe mental disorder at the time.
They also agreed that she didn’t know what she was doing was wrong and wasn’t able to stop herself.
Ms Morley will return to the Central Mental Hospital this evening for further assessment.
A decision on whether her committal there should be extended will be made later this month.
Memories #OnThisDay 2018
Carla helping me to celebrate my birthday 🥰 pic.twitter.com/0fjQaywtqI— Conors Clips (@conorsclips) May 20, 2021
Andrew McGinley Calls For HSE Investigation
Deirdre Morley's husband is asking the HSE Mental Health Services for an investigation into her diagnosis, treatment and medication prior to the tragedy, as a matter or urgency.
In a statement Andrew McGinley says today's verdict is probably the right one and that everyone who knows Deirdre knows how much she loved their children and how devoted she was to them.
He added he's no closer to understanding why his children died.
A Snowman For Carla, As Darragh Did & Conor's Clips
Andrew says he's kicking off these initiatives in memory of his children.
"I promised to build a snowman for Carla. As we don’t get snow every year I’m planning a colouring
competition called Snowman for Carla in her name."
"For Darragh I promised to get involved with Rathcoole Boys."
"However Darragh had been involved in
everything in the community – Rathcoole Boys, Commercials Hurling, St Marys GAA, the Athletics
Club, the Drama Club to name but a few."
"In Darragh’s name I am starting a charity to encourage everyone to get involved more in their own communities and to participate ... As Darragh Did."
"Personally, I will be taking some of the unique characters that Conor and Darragh created in their
own comics, plays and books and I will attempt to do them proud by bringing these characters
further along in books which I hope to write in their honour."
