Ruth Purcell Healy remains charged with murder as expert is found

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

Ruth Purcell Healy remains charged with murdering her six-year-old son at the Central Criminal Court, with the latest reported update on 3 December 2025.

The State had been unable to secure an Irish forensic psychiatrist to prepare an assessment in response to a defence report, despite contacting more than 10 psychiatrists. A forensic psychiatrist based in Australia later offered to assess her. He wanted to see her in person, with an initial assessment by video link; counsel said an in-person assessment could take place around Easter, a report could follow at the end of May, and a trial date could be set 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.