Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6707Murder · Co. Dublin · 24 Jan 2020

Father of three children killed by mother says HSE review lacked detail

Three children, Conor (9), Darragh (7) and Carla (3), were found dead in their home in south Dublin on 24 January 2020. The Irish Mirror reports that their mother, Deirdre Morley, a woman, suffocated them, and she was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity following a trial in 2021 and committed to the Central Mental Hospital. In 2023 the coroner adjourned the inquest hearing to allow submissions before ruling on its scope, and civil cases involving the HSE remain before the courts. The latest development, in January 2024, is that the children's father, Andrew McGinley, said an HSE review of the tragedy lacked detail and wants the scope of the inquest widened.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Three children, Conor (9), Darragh (7) and Carla (3), were found dead.
Where
The children were found dead in their home in south Dublin.
When
The children were found dead on 24 January 2020.
Cause
The Irish Mirror reports that Deirdre Morley suffocated the children.
Other details
  • The children's father, Andrew McGinley, was away on a business trip in Cork at the time.
  • The father said the HSE review into the tragedy lacked detail, was disappointing and that nothing had changed.
  • The father wants the scope of the inquest widened.
Investigation
Morley told gardaí she had been suffering from depression for several months before the killings.
Charges
Morley was tried for murder in 2021.
In court
  • Morley was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity following a trial in 2021.
  • In 2023 the coroner adjourned the inquest hearing to allow submissions before ruling on its scope.
  • Civil cases involving the HSE over the tragedy are ongoing before the courts.
Sentence
Morley was committed to the Central Mental Hospital.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe children killed were Conor (9), Darragh (7) and Carla (3). (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe children were found dead in their south Dublin home. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeDeirdre Morley suffocated the children. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMorley was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity following a trial in 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe coroner adjourned the inquest hearing last year to allow submissions before ruling on its scope. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThere are ongoing civil cases involving the HSE before the courts over the tragedy. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceMorley was committed to the Central Mental Hospital. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMorley told gardaí she had been suffering from depression for several months before the killings. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe father said the HSE review into the tragedy lacked detail. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe father wants the scope of the inquest widened. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 Jan2024
    Otheririshmirror.ie, follow-up
    Dad of three kids killed by their mum said review into tragedy lacked 'detail'

    Feature with the children's father on the HSE review, the coroner's pending decision on the inquest scope, and ongoing civil cases. Morley was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity in 2021 and committed to the Central Mental Hospital.

    victim, Conor, 9, irish (judged from name)Conorvictim, Darragh, 7, irish (judged from name)Darraghvictim, Carla, 3, irish (judged from name)Carlaaccused, Deirdre Morley, female, named, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Morley