Andrew’s happiness in new relationship
VOW TO KEEP FIGHTING FOR CHANGE IN SYSTEM
THE father of three children killed by their mother has revealed he’s been in a relationship with another woman for the past two years.
Andrew McGinley’s children Conor (9), Darragh (7) and Carla McGinley (3) were killed by their mother Deirdre Morley at their home in Newcastle, Dublin, on January 24, 2020.
Morley was found not guilty by reason of insanity and is applying for community release from the Central Mental Hospital.
Andrew yesterday confirmed to The Star that he was in a new relationship.
“I have a partner that I’ve been seeing for the past two years. I’m happy, yes,” “But that’s my private life and that’s all I want to say about it.”
Walk
On Saturday, Andrew is setting off with friends and supporters on a charity walk from Mullingar to Maynooth ‘Walking the Walk’ for his charity ‘As Darragh Did’ - and has already raised almost €35,000.
Today marks what would have been Darragh’s 12th birthday, making the occasion very emotional for the heartbroken Dad.
“[Today] is Darragh’s birthday. So it will be an emotional weekend, a big weekend.
“I have a lot of nervous apprehension about it but I have an awful lot of support,” Andrew told us.
Speaking about his reasons for doing the walk, Andrew acknowledged it was inspired by a song he used to sing to the children.
“My lullaby I used to sing to the kids was the Auld Triangle and it has the line in it about the Royal Canal.
“I have a few video clips of the lads singing the song. Then I can honestly say Conor, Daragh and Carla went to Maynooth University.
“They went for my sister’s graduation and it’s the only university they attended.
“As I think about them getting older I find it hard to think about the age they would be,” he said.
Cause
Andrew says he hopes people will donate to the cause, as he reveals his charity is now involved in an impressive 140 projects, and has raised hundreds of thousands of euro in funds that are going towards local clubs and organisations across the country.
“I’m delighted for any encouragement along the way but ultimately it’s a fundraiser so if people want to donate they can do so on idonate.
“It’s walking the walk as Darragh did. The Daniel O’Donnell concert raised about €100,000 for us, the Maynooth students for charity raised about €86,000 for us, so I’m hoping we can get to €50,000.
“If I got above that I’d be ecstatic,” Andrew admitted.
“I’m hoping that this will be our annual fundraiser.”
Andrew also opened up about the Health Service Executive review into his wife’s care.
He promised not to give up fighting to have the system change - in order for family members to be properly informed about their loved ones’ mental health care.
“I’ll continue the fight. I believe a co parent should be supported, fully engaged with, fully advised and informed.”
He added: “If you look at the decision to allow a patient with a suicidal ideation who had expressed concerns about being around her children to be back in the house with her children, I just feel that shouldn’t have been a clinician’s decision.”
Projects
Andrew said he hopes to be informed of when Morley will be released though he says he ultimately cannot do anything about it.
He added: “I’ve registered as a victim so I’m supposed to be notified. I haven’t received any notification other than she applied for community release.
“It will happen but I’m just focusing on the projects I do and moving forward with a happy and hopefully long life.”