A 37-year-old woman has appeared before Waterford District Court charged with the murder of her six-year-old son.
Ruth Purcell Healy, the mother of Matthew Purcell Healy, who has an address at Bishopsfield, Williamstown, Waterford City was brought before a special sitting of Waterford District Court before Judge Kevin Staunton.
She was arrested at approximately 18:05pm by Detective Sergeant David Shore of Waterford garda station before being charged with the murder of her son a short time later.
Six-year-old Matthew was found dead in the back of a car at an address in the Rathmoylan area of Dunmore East, Co. Waterford on February 9.
When invited to reply to the charge the accused answered, “No thank you,”
Ruth Purcell Healy was remanded in custody at Limerick prison and is due to appear before the courts again via video link on Tuesday, 20th of February.
Judge Staunton has ordered a psychiatric evaluation of the accused.
Matthew’s father, James Healy, previously expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of public sympathy in the wake of his son’s death.