Courts / Dublin / Report
Trial of Deirdre Morley is 'free from controversy', judge tells jury
Summary
In the trial of Deirdre Morley, a 44‑year‑old paediatric nurse from Parson's Court, Newcastle, Co Dublin, the jury was instructed by Mr Justice Paul Coffey to consider a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Morley is accused of murdering her three children—sons Conor (9) and Darragh (7) and daughter Carla (3)—whose bodies were found at the family home on 24 January. The judge explained that the defence's psychiatric experts, Dr Brenda Wright and Dr Mary Davoren, had agreed that Morley was legally insane when she smothered her children, lacking knowledge of the nature or wrongness of her acts and unable to refrain from them. He noted that both prosecution and defence concurred on this conclusion and that the case was "unusually free from controversy." The jury was given time to deliberate, with the judge emphasising that the appropriate verdict on all counts was not guilty by reason of insanity.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Trial of Deirdre Morley is 'free from controversy', judge tells jury. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity
When:
- January 24 Other
- 2021-05-20 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Finding: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Outcome: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Veteran lorry driver has conviction for failing to remain at accident scene overturned
- Cohabiting woman falsely claimed €110k in Deserted Wife's allowance
- 10 years for 'prolific' offender with 129 previous convictions who repeatedly stabbed doctor during home invasion
- 'Sheer terror': 'Miracle' doctor wasn't killed during home invasion by violent burglar with 129 previous convictions
- Mother who killed children while mentally ill has inquest challenge brought forward
- Teenager avoids jail for throwing airsoft grenade 'for fun'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request