Murder charge: Australia-based psychiatrist offers to assess Ruth Purcell Healy

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Ruth Purcell Healy remains charged with the murder of her six-year-old son, Matthew Healy. At a Central Criminal Court hearing reported on 3 December 2025, the prosecution told Mr Justice Paul McDermott that an Irish-born forensic psychiatrist based in Australia had offered to assess her.

The psychiatrist wanted to see Purcell Healy in person, with an initial assessment by video link. The prosecution said an in-person assessment could take place around Easter, with a report expected at the end of May and a trial date sought for the end of June or July. The judge listed the case for mention on 25 February, with a view to working towards a trial date.