Additional Coverage:
- Boy’s chilling final words before mum smothered all three of her kids to death at their Dublin home (irishstar.com)
A Dublin father is struggling to cope with the unimaginable loss of his three children at the hands of their mother, Deirdre Morley. In January 2020, Morley, suffering from a psychotic episode, suffocated nine-year-old Conor, seven-year-old Darragh, and three-year-old Carla. She was later found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to the Central Mental Hospital.
Andrew McGinley, the children’s father, says he is haunted by Conor’s last words: “Stop, Mammy, what are you doing?” These words, spoken as Morley placed a bag over Conor’s head, constantly echo in his mind. He admits the tragedy has irrevocably changed him and ended any possibility of a future with Morley.
The court heard how Morley’s psychosis led her to believe she had to kill her children. After a failed attempt to sedate them, she suffocated Darragh and Carla.
She then picked Conor up from school and, at home, devised a “game” that ended with her suffocating him. Morley later attempted suicide but was found and taken to a hospital.
Despite the horrific circumstances, McGinley has expressed a willingness to support Morley’s treatment and recovery. He recognizes the complexities of her mental illness and leaves her potential release in the hands of medical professionals. While her acquittal due to insanity means she could be released in as little as five years if deemed mentally fit, the final decision rests with the medical authorities.
In the wake of the tragedy, McGinley has found solace in fulfilling promises he made to his children. He has launched a YouTube channel for Conor, plans to coach at Rathcoole Boys FC for Darragh, and intends to build a snowman for Carla.
He continues to share his grief and memories of his children, urging other parents to cherish every moment with their own. McGinley’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating impact of mental illness and the importance of seeking help.