A mother who killed her three children in their home in west Dublin has applied for release from the Central Mental Hospital - after just three years.
The Star has learned that Deirdre Morley, who was found not guilty by reason of insanity of the murders of her children Conor, nine, Darragh, seven and Carla, three, has formally applied to be released under a community release scheme.
And in an exclusive interview today, the children’s heartbroken father Andrew reacted to the news, saying he was “shocked” when he first heard about it.
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“When I heard about it I was surprised. I would go so far as to say I was shocked,” he said.
Ms Morley has been in custody at the Central Mental Hospital ever since the three tragic children were found dead in their home in Newcastle in Dublin on January 24, 2020.
During her trial, two psychiatrists testified that Ms Morley was suffering from a mental disorder at the time of the three killings and fulfilled the criteria for the special verdict.
It is understood her application will now need to be considered by medical professionals at the facility and that Andrew was formally notified of that also.
Speaking today Andrew, who is this year marking his third Christmas without his children, said he would have hoped that the ongoing HSE review, and the impending coroners court hearing would happen before Ms Morley’s release is even considered.
“From a personal perspective I would think that the HSE review that we all called for after the trial should be completed and also the coroners court.
“The coroners court still hasn't happened and it's three years after the death of Conor, Darragh and Carla.
“Ultimately it’s a decision for Dee’s medical team."
However the grieving father did admit that he fears the potential prospect of accidentally bumping into his wife if she is released.
“Definitely yeah it would be difficult. The only meeting that we had face to face was just before the trial and it was a very difficult meeting and so I can’t imagine it would be any different if we bumped into each other.
“As I sit here now I don’t know if Deirdre is still in Dundrum or has she been moved to Portrane.
“I don’t know if I should have been told or not. But I often go out and meet a friend on Donabate and Portrane beaches so I think it would be something I would like to know because there would be a potential of being out there some day and bumping into her.”
This Christmas Andrew feels he wants to try to enjoy the season, as he says he’s found it extremely difficult to do so over the past two years.
“My family have just been superb over the years with Christmas but I just kind of felt Christmas happened around me and I didn’t really take part.
“So I’m kind of determined this year to try and reclaim it a bit. Because we all loved Christmas. I always had the tree up by the end of November and the kids just loved it.
“It’s just a great time of the year. I loved Christmas and as soon as I’d mention taking down the tree you know, they were all on board.”
“I just want to make it a fun day again. It will always be tinged with sadness. First thing in the morning I’ll wish that there were sacks of presents beside the fireplace and half eaten cookies and a carrot and stuff like that.
“It’s a time of the year I always enjoyed and I think the kids would want it to still be a time of the year that is fun and enjoyable,” he added.
Andrew says Conor, Darragh and Carla adored Christmas, and he wants to honour their memory by trying to embrace the festive season once again - with loved ones.
“It’s just for me a beautiful time of the year, a family time of the year and I just sort of want to reclaim it.
“I just want it to be fun again,” he said.
“I will be up at the grave on Christmas morning.
“If I have a Christmas wish for anybody it’s that you never have to stand at your children’s grave on a Christmas morning.”
Andrew has been keeping himself busy with his incredible charity work with ‘As Darragh Did,’ - an inspiring community-based operation that has helped over 60 groups to date.
He also has his ‘Conors Clips’ Youtube and Twitter platforms where he shares pictures and videos of his kids - and the popular ‘Snowman for Carla’ competition, which is set to announce its winner next week.
“I’m starting to judge the Snowman for Carla this Friday so I hope we will get to announce the winner next week, hopefully on Carla's birthday December 15.
“I’m delighted that the Maynooth students for charity have selected ‘As Darragh Did’ as their nominated charity for next year,” Andrew said.
“So every year they do the Galway cycle. So we’re looking for cyclists, we’re looking for sponsors, we’re looking for, I suppose funds in general.
“We’re looking for people to register and support and help. If anybody would like to participate we’d be delighted to hear from them.
“To date we have helped about 60 clubs, groups and societies across the country. We have helped them to integrate people into their clubs or groups and to be more inclusive and help people participate in the community as Darragh did.
“That for me, it lifts me. Every time I do something with the charity I’m actually looking forward to going through all the entries.
“Those other projects with Conors Clips keep me going. It’s what is keeping me putting one foot in front of the other.
“It’s like being able to shout from the rooftops about them. They were three magnificent kids and it’s just hard to believe they’re nearly three years gone,” he said.
Anyone who wishes to join in on the charity cycle can do so by emailing registration@galwaycycle.ie.
Ms Morley’s trial at the Central Criminal Court was described by the State as “a desperately sad case”.
Ms Morley’s defence counsel told the jury the case was a “tragedy of enormous proportions.”
Her trial heard harrowing evidence of how she used sticky tape, plastic bags and cushions to smother her children to death while their father was away for work.
Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster found the children had died by asphyxia from compressions of the chest area and airways.
Dr Brenda Wright, detailed Ms Morley's mental state deteriorating in the weeks before the killing and said she was suffering with bipolar affective disorder at the time.
The witness said the defendant believed it was morally right to smother her three children as she thought she had “irreparably damaged” them and “had to put an end to their suffering."
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