Son gets suspended sentence for attempted mercy killing

A man has been given a suspended three-year sentence for attempting to murder his elderly mother in an attempted mercy killing, after the judge ruled his motivation was entirely compassionate.

Veronica (Vera) Vollrath, aged 83, was pronounced dead on January 9, 2012, at Killure Bridge Nursing Home, Killure, Co Waterford. Her son admitted holding a pillow over her face while keeping vigil by her death bed. The Austrian resident was charged with her murder.

Gerald Vollrath, aged 47, of Tramore Heights, Tramore, Co Waterford, had pleaded not guilty to her murder, but the murder charge against him was dropped in December, and he pleaded guilty to attempted murder instead.