Gardaí renew appeal following discovery of newborn girl

Baby girl, wrapped in plastic bag, was fed and nourished when found by member of public

Garda preserve the scene on Steelstown Road in Rathcoole,Co Dublin after a baby girl was discovered by a member of the public on Friday. Photograph: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos
Garda preserve the scene on Steelstown Road in Rathcoole,Co Dublin after a baby girl was discovered by a member of the public on Friday. Photograph: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos

Gardaí have renewed an appeal for information following the discovery of a newborn girl wrapped in plastic in west Dublin on Friday.

Gardaí have stressed the welfare of the mother as the priority after the baby girl was brought to hospital.

The baby was discovered by a member of the public at about 3.30pm near a business premises on the Steelstown Road in Rathcoole, south Dublin.

Based on medical opinion the baby girl may have been born 24-36 hours prior to her discovery. She was fed and nourished.

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The baby remains in a stable condition under the care of hospital staff.

"Gardaí are concerned for the welfare of the mother of this child and are appealing for her to seek immediate medical treatment and to contact Gardaí who are anxious to reunite her with her baby. Gardaí will deal with this matter with the utmost sensitivity and care for both mother and child," said Supt Brendan Connolly at Clondalkin Garda station.

Investigations are ongoing and An Garda Síochána continue to liaise closely with the Health Service Executive in relation to this matter.

In the meantime, the welfare of the child will be the responsibility of Tusla, the child and family agency.

Local People Before Profit Alliance councillor Gino Kenny said concern must now lie with the welfare of the mother.

“She must be in a very, very distressed state. We don’t know the circumstances behind the whole case but it’s imperative that any family or friends [who may know her identity] make contact with the appropriate services and that they are reunited,” he said.

“It’s good that the baby is fine and now hopefully the mother can be found and reunited.”

Anyone with information regarding the identity or whereabouts of the mother are urged to contact gardaí at Clondalkin on (01) 666 7600, the Garda Confidential Line or any other station.