A hearing in the case of Deirdre Morley, who was found not guilty by reason of insanity of the murders of her three children, has been adjourned until next week to allow time for lawyers to consider a psychiatric report.
The matter was due back before the court today, where it was expected that a consultant forensic psychiatrist from the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) would be called by the State to report on Ms Morley's condition and make recommendations for her ongoing care.
Ms Morley, 44, of Parson's Court, Newcastle, Co Dublin, had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of her sons nine-year-old Conor McGinley and seven-year-old Darragh McGinley and her three-year-old daughter Carla McGinley at the family home in January last year.
Her trial heard she was suffering from a severe psychotic depressive illness at the time and believed the children had been irreparably damaged by her illness and her parenting.
Following the verdict, trial judge Mr Justice Paul Coffey made an order committing Ms Morley to the CMH until today so that an approved medical officer could prepare a psychiatric assessment.
Mr Justice Coffey, who appeared via video-link today from Anglesea Street Courthouse in Cork, said that he had only received the statutory report after 11am this morning with a passcode, which he was unable to use.
"I've overcome that difficulty but I have to rise in order to consider the report," he added.
In reply, prosecution counsel Anne-Marie Lawlor SC said the State had not received the report and she understood that there would be an application to adjourn the matter until 8 June.
The judge said he had also understood that the report would not be ready before today and that there would be an application to adjourn the hearing.
Barry Ward BL, for Ms Morley, said the defence had not yet considered the report.
Mr Justice Coffey said that both sides should be able to consider the content of the report and he would adjourn the matter until 8 June.
He remanded Ms Morley to the CMH and said he would finalise matters on the next occasion.
Ms Morley was not present in court for today's brief hearing.
