Joannis Nestoros, a professor of psychiatry from the University of Crete, said he believed Hogan thought he was "sending his family to heaven'' by jumping off the balcony.

He also said he did not think Hogan would have leapt had Mrs Hogan not "said the things she did''.

He added: "He was away from reality. He did not know what he was doing.

"It was not his intention to harm the children.

"He thought he would be able to take his children to heaven. This was not logical."

Prof Nestoros, who conducted a series of interviews with Hogan, added: "He did not even remember he was on the fourth floor - this man was not in a clear state of mind.

"His wife should not have said the things she did.''