Andrew McGinley says ‘the time feels right’ as he winds up charity set up in memory of his three children
Mr McGinley said the organisation had successfully fulfilled its purpose since it was founded five years ago
Mr McGinley’s children – Conor (9), Darragh (7) and Carla (3) – were killed by their mother, Deirdre Morley, at their home in Newcastle, Co Dublin, on January 24, 2020, when she was suffering a psychotic and depressive episode.Ms Morley, a nurse, was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity. Mr McGinley has since set up projects in his children’s names which reflect their personalities and aspirations.One of those, As Darragh Did, will formally wind up its operations, Mr McGinley announced today.The father of three said the organisation had successfully fulfilled its charitable purpose, raising more than €500,000 donated to 300 community clubs and groups across the country since the charity was founded five years ago.“The three projects in memory of Conor, Darragh and Carla have been crucial to me since January 2020,” said Mr McGinley.Today’s News in 90 seconds - Thursday February 26 “I needed Conor’s Clips, Snowman for Carla and As Darragh Did, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who has helped us in any way, shape, or form.“Your kindness, encouragement, and support carried me through the darkest times and helped transform loss into something positive for others. There are not enough words to properly thank you for standing beside me and helping to keep the kids’ memory alive in such meaningful ways.“The time now feels right. Having achieved our charitable purpose of supporting communities in Darragh’s name, it is time to move forward and remember the kids collectively in another way. I hope to speak more about that later in the year.”Mr McGinley said he is confident that the initiatives funded by As Darragh Did will continue to support and strengthen communities in ways that align closely with its original purpose.January 24 marked the six-year anniversary of the deaths of the three McGinley children.After returning from an overnight work trip in Cork, Mr McGinley found his wife unconscious and being cared for by paramedics in the estate where they lived.He then discovered the bodies of his three children in the house. Darragh and Carla were found upstairs in the master bedroom and Conor was downstairs with his feet protruding from the play tent.Ms Morley was on antidepressant drugs for two years before the tragedy and had received psychiatric treatment after expressing suicidal thoughts in 2019.The former paediatric nurse was found not guilty by reason of insanity in 2021 following a trial at the Central Criminal Court.During her trial the court heard that she concealed the true depth of her mental illness from her husband.The long-awaited inquest into the children’s deaths is due to proceed this year. Ms Morley is bringing a legal challenge to the scope of the coroner’s inquiry into the killings – a move supported by Mr McGinley, who wants any inquest to examine wider medical evidence and identify contributory factors.If you have been affected by issues raised in this article on the Irish Independent, see here for helplines and support services that are available
