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Andrew McGinley hits out at lack of changes to mental health policies

Tuesday is the third anniversary of the deaths of Conor, Darragh and Carla McGinley
Eoghan Murphy
Eoghan Murphy

00.01 24 Jan 2023


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Andrew McGinley hits out at la...

Andrew McGinley hits out at lack of changes to mental health policies

Eoghan Murphy
Eoghan Murphy

00.01 24 Jan 2023


Share this article


The father of three children killed by their mother says more people are dying because of our mental health policies.

Tuesday is the third anniversary of the deaths of Conor, Darragh and Carla McGinley in Newcastle, Co Dublin.

Their mother, Deirdre Morley, was found not guilty of their murders by reason of insanity.

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Their father, Andrew McGinley, wants family members to be more involved in their loved one's mental health care.

Andrew McGinley at the funeral mass for his children in January 2020. Picture by: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie

He has hit out at the delay in changing the policies.

"I'm very disappointed because the longer that they go unchanged, quite simply more people die," he said.

"Since the year 2000, there's nearly 60 children who have died at the hands of a parent whilst that parent was being treated for their mental health.

"60 children: that's two classrooms full of children.

"Sometimes I think is there not enough people dying: would changes be made quicker if more people died?

"It's an absolutely horrific thought, but no change is being made".

'They would be alive today'

Andrew said he should have been told more about what was going on.

"If I knew what other people knew, back from 2019, then Conor, Darragh and Carla would be alive today.

"It is as simple as that.

"Family inclusion, and especially in the cases of children - protecting the children - has to change.

"The other changes I'm looking for is I believe that confidentiality should have been breached in our case.

"Currently within the legislation it is the opinion of the clinicition whether they breach confidentiality or not.

"I believe that that should be tightened up and it should be black and white as to when confidentiality is breached and when it isn't breached," he added.

Main image: Andrew McGinley with Conor, Darragh and Carla McGinley

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Andrew McGinley Carla Conor Darragh Deirdre Morley Dublin Newcastle

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