The mother of the three children found dead at their home in Newcastle, west Dublin, has appeared in court charged with their murder.

Deirdre Morley, 43, with an address at Parsons Court in Newcastle, was brought before a special sitting of Dublin District Court at the Criminal Courts of Justice this evening.

The bodies of nine-year-old Conor, seven-year-old Darragh and three-year-old Carla were discovered at the same address at around 7.45pm last Friday evening.

Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Detective Sergeant Dara Kenny from Clondalkin Garda Station said that Deirdre Morley was charged at 2.49pm this afternoon.

He said that she made no reply when the charges were put to her.

Solicitor Jonathan Dunphy asked the judge that continuing psychiatric assessment and treatment be given to Deirdre Morley.

Judge Paula Murphy made an order in relation to this and an application for legal aid was also granted.

She remanded Deirdre Morley in custody to appear again before Dublin District Court next Wednesday, 5 February.