The father of three children who were killed by their mother in 2020 has said projects he set up in his children's names have helped him deal with their loss.
Nine-year-old Conor McGinley, his seven-year-old brother Darragh and three-year-old sister Carla were killed by their mother Deirdre Morley on this day four years ago.
Ms Morley was later found not guilty of their murder by reason of insanity.
The nurse was found to be suffering from a severe mental illness when she killed the children.
Andrew McGinley told Newstalk Breakfast working in their memory has given him a lot of joy.
"Every morning's a difficult morning without them," he said.
"The projects that I do in memory of Conor, Darragh and Carla keep me going and bring a lot of joy and happiness to me.
"There's Conor's Clip, which is a YouTube channel and social media, there's Snowman for Carla which is a snowman colouring competition and we have As Darrah Did, which is a charity that helps people get involved in local community clubs and groups".
Darragh, Conor and Carla McGinley with their father Andrew. Picture via @conorsclips on XMr McGinley said he has now set up a new fundraising event inspired by Newstalk's Simon Tierney.
"It was actually one of your colleagues there, Simon Tierney, who did a walk in aid of As Darrah Did - I joined him on the last leg of that," he said.
"After the children died, I spent a lot of time back in nature going on walks, hikes and kayaking.
"I thought, after seeing Simon do his hike, 'That's what I want to do as a fundraiser'.
"I've chosen the Royal Canal from Mullingar to Maynooth; we'll be walking 60kms over two days".
Darragh, Conor and Carla McGinley with their father Andrew. Image via @conorsclips on XMr McGinley said that particular route holds a lot of memories for him.
"That route along the N4 was the road we used to take up to see granny and grandad up in Donegal," he said.
"My sister Michelle lives in Mullingar and she's a keen amateur photographer, so there's a lot of photographs of the three kids in Mullingar.
"I seem to have a photograph from every St Patrick's Day parade from about 2010, featuring them all at various stages.
"One of my favourite songs to sing the kids was 'The Auld Triangle', and I've video footage of Conor and Darragh singing along about the Royal Canal.
"So, it's a stretch that means an awful lot to me".
The last ever clip I have of Conor, Darragh or Carla is this brief one which features all 3 of them playing together.
Big brothers Conor & Darragh entertaining baby sister Carla 🥰
Taken on this day in 2020, 1 week before they died. #Conor #Darragh #Carla 🥰🥰🥰#OnThisDay pic.twitter.com/yHrigmBEAp— Conor’s Clips (@conorsclips) January 18, 2024
Mr McGinley said taking on all this work has helped him manage his grief.
"I wouldn't be able to cope with being back at work - my mind is different now; my thought process is different now," he said.
"I've a value on life now that I've never had before, I've a drive for positivity.
"I just want to spend the rest of my days celebrating the lives of Conor, Darragh and Carla, and give them the life that they didn't have.
"That has helped me so much, and I think about them so positively now through their projects," he added.
Walking the Walk will take place on April 20th and 21st to raise funds for the As Darragh Did charity. People can register here
