Donegal family of McGinley children to lead charity cycle in their memory

Donegal relatives of the McGinley children, who were killed by their mentally ill mother, are leading a cycle to raise funds for a charity set up in their memory.
Conor, aged nine, Darragh, seven, and Carla, three, died at their Co Dublin home in January 2020. Their mother Deirdre Morley was found not guilty of their murders by reason of insanity after a court heard she was suffering from a severe psychotic depressive illness.
The children’s father Andrew McGinley, who is from Donegal Town, has set up the charity As Darragh Did as a legacy to his children. Now the children’s extended family are coming together to raise money to grow and continue that legacy.
Andrew's siblings Kieran and Michelle from Donegal Town and his first cousins Declan and Paul Prendiville, from Inver, and Kevin Martin from Killybegs, are leading an 80km charity cycle from the children’s home in Dublin on June 12 to raise funds for the charity.
“So many family and friends have said that they wished there was something they could do and we came up with the idea of a cycle involving cousins and friends” said organiser Kieran McGinley, the children’s uncle, who lives in Cork.
Andrew’s sister Michelle, who is also a trustee of the charity, said: “Raising money for Andrew’s legacy is one way we can continue to support him. We are so very grateful to all the extended family and friends, and especially everyone in Donegal. Every card, phone call and text to see how we were doing means the world to us all. We are committed to making sure that As Darragh Did is an enduring legacy for our nephews and niece.”
Speaking to Donegal Live, Michelle said the name of the charity comes from the fact that Darragh "joined everything and anything”.
“He just wanted to help as many people and could see the benefits of joining and volunteering. Andrew could see the difference it made to Darragh’s life so he just wanted to do it so other people could live like Darragh lived.”
The charity supports small community organisations across the country. Groups in Donegal supported by the charity include Rainbow Theatre Group in Letterkenny, Donegal Town Basketball Club, Ray Community Centre, Cumann Forbartha na Dúchoraidh, Aodh Ruadh GAA Club, Donegal Down Syndrome Association, Swilly Seals, Conwal Tots Parents and Toddler Group and Church Hill Community Group.

More than €3,000 has been raised for the cycle out of a target of €8,000.
Anyone wishing to support the Donegal relatives of the family taking part in the cycle can do so here.
As Darragh Did offers support to community clubs and organisations to help them encourage more participation in the community. All details and how to apply and set up a monthly donation are available at www.asdarraghdid.ie.