US urged: act on Dunn case if you want to quiz Andrew over Epstein
A WOMAN has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of her three children, whose bodies were discovered in their south Dublin home last week.
Conor (9), Darragh (7) and little sister Carla McGinley (3) were found in their home at Parson’s Court, Newcastle, last Friday evening.
The children’s mother Deirdre Morley, a nurse, has been undergoing treatment in Tallaght hospital for a suspected overdose after she was found wandering in a disoriented state shortly before the shocking tragedy emerged.
Confirming the arrest last night, a Garda spokesperson said: “A woman in her 40s has been arrested on suspicion of murder in relation to the discovery of the bodies of three children at a property in Parson’s Court, Newcastle, Co Dublin, on 24/1/2020.
“The woman arrested was found at the scene and has been receiving medical attention at Tallaght University Hospital following the incident.
“She is currently detained at Clondalkin Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.”
In a statement earlier yesterday the children’s father spoke of his utter devastation at their loss and has urged parents to cherish every moment with their own children.
Sharing a photograph of both parents with their children for the first time, dad Andrew McGinley said “every breath is a struggle” following the tragedy.
In a statement released through An Garda Siochana, Mr McGinley said: “There are no words. There is only devastation, grief and anguish. Every breath is a struggle.
“Conor, Darragh and Carla are adored.
“They all had beautiful, bright futures ahead of them with family, friends and a community who love them.
“To all parents, cuddle your children whenever you get a chance, tell them how much you love them as often as you can, spend every spare minute with them reading, playing and enjoying their wonderfulness. The future has now become our enemy but we will battle it every day to keep the memory of Conor, Darragh and Carla alive.”
He signed the statement “Andrew”.
Fr John Gilligan, who represents Saggart, the family’s old neighbourhood, and Newcastle, said the statement released by Mr McGinley showed “selfless compassion and bravery” and he praised him for “bringing back light into a community in darkness”.
“The words Andrew has used when we are lost for words have helped this community,” the priest said.
“He and all who loved and knew the children have suffered a great loss.
“They were beautiful children and little Carla’s lovely smile lit up a room. It was remarkably brave for a father who has lost so much, who’s enduring such pain, to release a statement to help all parents across Ireland reflect.”
Fr Gilligan said the words reminded everyone that, like all other Irish families, “this father had been trying to make a living for his children”.
“They worked hard as a family and moved from Saggart to a bigger house in Newcastle to give their children more room, to give them the best, and it’s a reflection of all the hard work they put into the children,” he said.
“Family is everything to our communities and our community is rallying round to offer support.
“He is incredibly brave and his statement has taken my breath away.”
Gardai are awaiting toxicology results to determine the exact substance which is suspected of being consumed by the children.
It is not suspected that any drugs were administered to the children by injection as no visible marks were found on their bodies. However, it is suspected that some, or all, of the children may have been smothered after being sedated.
A grief counsellor, psychologist Dr Damian Davy, from the Phoenix Centre in Dublin, commended Mr McGinley for offering strength to others despite his own grief.
“I agree with Mr McGinley, we all need to be close to our children and to be aware of those in difficulty in our society, to be more compassionate,” he said.
“We need to be a more caring society, to look after each other.”
THE US should help with the investigation into the death of Harry Dunn if it wants cooperation in its bid to quiz the Duke of York as part of the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking inquiry, a lawyer has warned.
Lisa Bloom, who represents five of Epstein’s alleged victims, raised the case of Anne Sacoolas, whose extradition to the UK has been rejected by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Mrs Sacoolas, the wife of a US intelligence official who was given diplomatic immunity and returned to her home country, has been charged with causing teenager Mr Dunn’s death in a road crash outside a US military base in Northamptonshire last year.
It comes as US Attorney Geoffrey Berman revealed the Queen’s second son Andrew had provided “zero cooperation” despite his lawyers being contacted by prosecutors and the FBI as part of the Epstein investigation.
Ms Bloom tweeted: “I understand diplomatic immunity but this is not a good look. If we want cooperation, we must cooperate in their investigations too.
“I’m tweeting about this to make Americans aware that this is very much on the minds of the UK press and public, based on all my interviews. An American, Anne Sacoolas, will not return to the UK to face questions regarding the death of Harry Dunn outside an American air base.
“’This works both ways, ‘maybe if you extradited her we might feel more that Prince Andrew should go to you,’ say some Brits.”
The duke stepped down from royal duties in November following a disastrous Newsnight interview. At the time, he said: “I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency.”
Andrew categorically denies he had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Ms Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was trafficked by Epstein.
Radd Seiger, the Dunn family’s spokesman, said: “If Prince Andrew has committed crimes in the US then he should return to face their justice system. But only if the USA reverse their decision on Anne Sacoolas.”