Father of three murdered children asks for letters during self-isolation

The father of three children who were tragically killed in their home earlier this year is appealing for people to send him letters to help him through this period of isolation. 

Andrew McGinley's three children Conor, 9, Darragh 7, and Carla, 3, were found dead at their family home in Dublin on Friday, January 24.

Deirdre Morley, the children's mother, was charged with their murder but has been too mentally unwell to attend court. 

McGinley set up a YouTube account named Conor's Clips in honor of Conor, his eldest son, and asked people for a "favor" on Friday evening from a Twitter account of the same name. 

The bereaved father-of-three said that he was "struggling" with isolation and said that he really missed his kids' company during these unprecedented times. He asked whether people would write to him to help him get through isolation. 

"You may never know how much this will help me," he wrote on Twitter. 

I’m looking for a favour. I’m struggling with isolation like you all but really missing the company. I was also enjoying most of the letters that I received so I have a request. Can you write to me? If you feel like using one of your An Post postcards then great. Letters welcome. pic.twitter.com/V72gLbGbtC

— Conors Clips (@conorsclips) March 27, 2020

McGinley has already received hundreds of replies from people who pledged to send him letters using their free An Post postcards. 

Ireland's postal service is giving two free postcards to every Irish household so that people can connect with each other during this period of social distancing. The postcards are free to send. 

McGinley seemed genuinely overwhelmed by the response on Twitter and the outpouring of grief. 

Responding to one tweet, McGinley said: "The response on twitter alone has lifted me. I also hope that everyone will take the opportunity to send a letter to someone more deserving than me too.

"Enjoy Conor's Clips on YouTube as it gives me great comfort to know that people can see how happy the kids were."

McGinley set up Conor's Clips earlier this year to keep a promise to his son. At Christmas time last year, Conor declared that he wanted to set up a YouTube channel, so McGinley set up the tribute channel in his name. 

The channel features a compilation of home movies of the three deceased children.

Read more: Woman arrested in Dublin on suspicion of murder of three McGinley siblings