Search icon

News

14th Feb 2024

Waterford woman charged with murder of 6-year-old son Matthew Healy

Simon Kelly

Matthew Healy mother arrested

Matthew’s funeral ceremony will take place today at noon.

A 37-year-old woman has been charged with the murder of her son, six-year-old Matthew Healy, in Waterford.

Ruth Purcell Healy appeared before a special sitting at Waterford District Court on Tuesday night at around 9pm.

Ms Purcell Healy was charged with the murder of son on 8 or 9 February at Rathmoylan, Co Waterford. When invited to reply to her charge, she replied, “no, thank you.”

Waterford woman charged with murder of 6-year-old son Matthew Healy

Ms Purcell Healy was arrested by Detective Sergeant David Shore of Waterford Garda Station and was charged shortly after 6.30pm.

The accused will be remanded in custody in Limerick Prison until her next court appearance via videolink on Tuesday, February 20.

An application for high court bail is expected to be made within the next 14 days.

Matthew was found unresponsive in the back of a car in the Rathmoylan area of Dunmore East, Co. Waterford on February 9.

The six-year-old was taken to University Hospital Waterford and, despite efforts by hospital staff to stabilise him,  he was later pronounced dead.

Matthew’s funeral ceremony will take place today at noon, at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in the rural parish of Watergrasshill, Co. Cork.

Matthew’s death notice reads that he is “Sadly missed by his heartbroken Dad James, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family, neighbours and friends.”

Read more:

LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge