The photo released by Andrew McGinley of himself and his three children.
By Anthony Neeson
The community of a Dublin suburban village are mourning the loss of three children from the same family who were found dead in the family home.
Prayers were said at Mass in Newcastle for Conor McGinley (nine), his brother Darragh (seven) and sister Carla (three) whose bodies were discovered after their mother, Deirdre Morley, was found on the street in a disorientated state at 7.45 p.m. on Friday evening, January 24.
The woman, a nurse, who is in her 40s, continues to receive treatment at Tallaght University Hospital. Gardaí aren’t looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.
After being alerted, Gardaí entered the house where they found the bodies as well as a note at the scene.
At the weekend, the children’s father, Andrew McGinley, released an image of him with his three children.
A post-mortem has been carried out on the three children.
Fr. Kevin Doherty, co-parish priest at St. Finian’s Church, in the village said a “darkness” had come to the parish, while prayers were offered for the children.
“The darkness, it’s so dark, it’s unspeakable. Grief, heartbreak, loss. And it affects and touches everybody in this community,” the priest said.
“Out of the darkness,” he added, “somehow we have to find the light. In the kindness of people, there is light.”
Children and Family agency Tusla said: “South Dublin Children and Young People’s Service Committee offers its deep condolences to the family and friends of the three children who tragically lost their lives on Friday.”
The three children had attended school earlier in the day. A taxi driver later found Ms. Morley in a disorientated state on the street and took her home. He phoned paramedics due to the state she was in and when they arrived on the scene they entered the property and discovered a note instructing them not to enter, but to phone the emergency number 999 instead.
There were no signs of injury on the remains of the children. Gardaí believe the children may have been given a substance before they were suffocated.
