‘To all parents, cuddle your children, tell them how much you love them, spend every spare minute with them’
Father’s tribute to tragic Conor, Darragh and Carla as mother arrested over deaths,
ANDREW McGINLEY’S brave words in the wake of the loss of his three children have shed “light” and “compassion” into a community shrouded in darkness, according to the parish priest.
Mr McGinley found his beloved children Conor (9), Darragh (7) and Carla (3) lifeless at the family home in Parsons Court, Newcastle, Co Dublin, on Friday evening.
Only hours after he released the statement, his wife Deirdre Morley was arrested on suspicion of murdering their three children.
The father’s loving words, at a time of immeasurable loss, showed “selfless compassion and bravery”, according to Fr John Gilligan.
He said the statement would help “bring back light into a community in darkness”.
Fr Gilligan told how Mr McGinley wept at the back of St Finian’s Church, Newcastle, after the children’s bodies were found.
“He wanted to come out, to be with the community, to thank them for their support,” the priest said.
Mr McGinley said in his statement yesterday: “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 loves 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. Andrew.”
Fr Gilligan, who has been comforting the communities of Newcastle and Saggart – where the family had lived up until 18 months ago – said the statement was from a “devastated, broken-hearted” father, who still thought of others above his own grief.
Brave
“The words Andrew has used when we are lost for words, have helped this community,” he added.
“It was remarkably brave for a father who’s lost so much, who’s enduring such pain, to release a statement to help all parents across Ireland to reflect. 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
‘The future has now become our enemy but we will battle it every day’
reflection of all the hard work they put into the children.”
The children’s mother, Ms Morley, was admitted to Tallaght Hospital for treatment after she was found on the road outside the house in a distraught and disorientated state on Friday evening.
Doctors decided to discharge her yesterday afternoon and she was immediately arrested by gardaí on suspicion of murder. She was being held for questioning last night at Clondalkin garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and can be detained without charge for 24 hours, excluding rest periods.
From the time of her admission to hospital, investigating gardaí had been keeping in close contact with senior medical staff. Officers were anxious to interview Ms Morley after she had been deemed medically fit.
Gardaí are awaiting the results of toxicology tests to determine how the children died.
Meanwhile, local people continue to try to comfort one another. Hundreds gathered outside the McGinley home last night for a candlelit vigil.
“Family is everything to our communities and our community is rallying round to offer support,” Fr Gilligan said.
“Some young couples don’t feel part of the Church but at this time, they’ve come to church, as they needed somewhere to look for consolation.
“And we’ll not impose values on those couples, who need a place to reflect and be together.
“We now have to thank Andrew, for in his time of need, caring for our community and spreading this message of compassion.
“Andrew’s is a statement for all parents in Ireland, who may be busy running round, trying to pay bills...
“This family loved their children, they did everything for them,” he said.
“Andrew is incredibly brave and his statement has taken my breath away.
“He’s brought light into our community when he’s grieving, he’s brought light to Ireland, reminding all parents to put their children as the most important priority.”