'Forgive me' notes left by mum, inquest hears
A mother who killed her child and then took her own life asked family and friends to forgive her actions, an inquest has heard.
Madeleine O'Neill, (41), who was originally from Derry, and her nine-year-old daughter Lauren were found dead at their home in Carryduff in July 2005.
Mrs O'Neill, who hanged herself using a belt from her dressing gown, had been treated for psychiatric problems in the weeks leading up to the deaths.
At an inquest into their deaths today, Coroner John Leckey and a 10-member jury were told a friend raised the alarm at the O'Neill home after finding the family's two Pomeranian dogs dead in the garage.
When police entered the home, they discovered Lauren in her mother's bed "laid out to rest" and holding her teddy bear Ruffles. Her mother was found in the same room.
Mrs O'Neill had given her daughter a sleeping tablet, which would most likely have left her heavily sedated, before smothering her, the inquest heard.
Mrs O'Neill had a history of depression and left hospital nearly two weeks before she died.
She had told health professionals that she thought about killing herself and "taking Lauren with her".
Mrs O'Neill had previously attempted to take her life by overdose on May 18, 2005.
The inquest also heard Mrs O'Neill had carried out several internet searches relating to suicide methods before her death.
On the day she killed her daughter and herself she used the google search engine to look for options under "smother+child."
Mr Leckey said he was "disturbed" google would allow people to gain information on smothering a child.
Shortly before her death, Mrs O'Neill left notes for members of her family, friends and her estranged husband, John O'Neill.
In all notes, which she wrote after killing Lauren, she asked her loved ones to "please forgive her" and to pray for her and Lauren.
In several of the letters she said Lauren was "now in heaven where she can't suffer anymore."
However, Lauren's school teacher described the child to police as an "ordinary wee girl".
The O'Neill case caused controversy after it emerged there had been an apparent failure to transfer notes between the doctors who treated Mrs O'Neill at Knockbracken Health Care Park in south Belfast and staff at Gransha hospital, Derry where she had been transferred for further treatment.
A 2008 report on the deaths, requested by John O'Neill, found the Western and Eastern Health Boards failed to follow basic procedures.
The Department of Health has commissioned an independent review of the case.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has said he will await the outcome of the inquest before deciding whether to hold a public inquiry.
It is believed the inquest will continue for up to four weeks.
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