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Mother and child inquest to begin Tragic mother 'smothered' child
(about 5 hours later)
The inquest into the deaths of a mother and daughter in Carryduff in 2005 is due to begin later. A mother who killed her child and then took her own life had given her 9-year- old daughter a sleeping tablet before smothering her, an inquest has heard.
The bodies of Madeleine O'Neill, from Londonderry, and her nine-year-old daughter Lauren were found by a friend at their bungalow in Manse Park. Madeline O'Neill and her daughter Lauren were found dead in their home at Manse Road in Carryduff in July 2005.
It is believed Mrs O'Neill killed her child before taking her own life. Mrs O'Neill, who hanged herself, had been treated for psychiatric problems in the weeks leading up to the deaths.
She had a history of depression and had told three health professionals of her suicidal thoughts and her intention to take her daughter with her. The 41-year-old had also told health professionals that she thought about killing herself and her daughter.
A 2008 report on the case found that the Western and Eastern Health Boards had failed to follow basic procedures. Failure
Mrs O'Neill left Gransha Hospital in Londonderry two weeks before she died. The case caused controversy after it emerged that 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 in Londonderry where she had been transferred for further treatment.
Mrs O'Neill, was originally from Derry, had a history of depression and left hospital nearly two weeks before she died.
A 2008 report on the deaths found that the Western and Eastern Health Boards had failed to follow basic procedures.
The Department of Health has also commissioned an independent review of the case.
The Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has said he will await the outcome of the inquest before deciding whether to hold a public inquiry.