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. 5627Murder · Co. Waterford · 9 Feb 2024

Waterford mother returned for trial over murder of her son Matthew Healy

Matthew Healy was found unresponsive near Rathmoylan Cove, Dunmore East, Co Waterford, around midnight on 9 February 2024 and was later pronounced dead at University Hospital Waterford. His mother, Ruth Purcell Healy, a 37-year-old Waterford woman, was first charged with his murder in February 2024, after an earlier video-link appearance before Judge John Cheatle. On 20 June 2024 she appeared before Judge Kevin Staunton at Waterford District Court, was returned for trial to the Central Criminal Court and was remanded in custody to its current sittings.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court20 Jun
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Ruth Purcell Healy is charged with the murder of her son Matthew Healy.
  • Matthew Healy was later pronounced dead at University Hospital Waterford.
Where
Matthew Healy was found unresponsive near Rathmoylan Cove, Dunmore East, Co Waterford.
When
Matthew Healy was found unresponsive around midnight on 9 February 2024.
Charges
Ruth Purcell Healy was first charged with the murder of her son in February 2024.
In court
  • Ruth Purcell Healy had an earlier appearance at Waterford District Court by video link before Judge John Cheatle.
  • Ruth Purcell Healy appeared before Judge Kevin Staunton at Waterford District Court on 20 June 2024 and did not speak during the short hearing.
  • The defence did not apply for bail, which cannot be granted at the District Court, and reserved the right to apply later.
  • Ruth Purcell Healy was given an alibi warning and told she had fourteen days to give notice of an alibi.
  • Ruth Purcell Healy was returned for trial to the Central Criminal Court.
  • The judge remanded Ruth Purcell Healy in custody to appear before the current sittings of the Central Criminal Court.
Other details
  • The charge sheet was amended so the night in question shows both dates inclusive.
  • Ruth Purcell Healy is receiving treatment at the Central Mental Hospital.
  • The judge issued a Section 56 order pertaining to evidence.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatRuth Purcell Healy is charged with the murder of her son Matthew. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatMatthew was later pronounced dead at University Hospital Waterford. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereMatthew was found unresponsive near Rathmoylan Cove, Dunmore East, Co Waterford. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenMatthew was found unresponsive around midnight on 9 February 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe accused was first charged with the murder of her son in February 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe accused appeared before Judge Kevin Staunton at Waterford District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe accused did not speak during the short hearing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe defence did not apply for bail at the District Court, which cannot grant it, and reserved the right to apply later. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe accused was given an alibi warning and told she had fourteen days to give notice of an alibi. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe accused was returned for trial to the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe accused had an earlier appearance at Waterford District Court by video link before Judge John Cheatle. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge remanded the accused in custody to appear before the current sittings of the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe charge sheet was amended so the night in question shows both dates inclusive. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe accused is receiving treatment at the Central Mental Hospital. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe judge issued a Section 56 order pertaining to evidence. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Jun2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Mother silent as she appears in court charged with murder of her son

    Reports the accused's court appearance at Waterford District Court, where she was remanded in custody for the Central Criminal Court. It also notes an earlier video-link appearance and that she is receiving treatment at the Central Mental Hospital.

    accused, Ruth Purcell Healy, 37, female, named, irish (judged from name)Ruth Purcell Healyvictim, Matthew Healy, 6, male, irish (judged from name)Matthew Healy