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LAST UPDATE | 15 Dec 2018
GARDAÍ ARE APPEALING for the mother of a deceased newborn baby found on a beach in north Dublin to come forward, saying she will be treated with “compassion and care”.
The body of the baby was found at about 10am this morning by a woman who was cleaning Bell’s Beach in Balbriggan.
Gardaí say that they have not determined the sex of the baby due to the position it was found on the strand. The baby was described by gardai as caucasian.
The baby was partially buried in the ground but gardaí say they are unable to determine whether this was done initially or by the stormy weather conditions.
The body of the baby has been removed to Temple Street Children’s Hospital where a post-mortem will be carried out tomorrow or Monday.
Gardaí are unable to say for how long the baby was on the beach but that they don’t believe it was submerged in the water. The body was not washed up on the shore and gardaí believe it was placed there.
Garda Fiona Savidge made an appeal for the mother of the baby, or anyone who knows anything about the incident, to come forward.
“I want to get in touch with the mother of this baby, I’m reaching out to you. I know you need medical attention, you need to go to your doctor. Possibly a 24-hour doctor on call or an accident and emergency where 24-hour care is available,” Garda Savidge told a media briefing this afternoon.
I can assure you, you will be treated with the utmost compassion and care and 100% confidentiality. I know you are a daughter, possibly a sister, a cousin. You may have a husband, a boyfriend, you may just have confided in a friend. So to anybody out there who the mother of this baby has got in touch with, I’m appealing to you to make contact with us here.
Adam Daly / TwitterSgt Savidge added "you will be treated with the upmost compassion and care." #Balbriggan pic.twitter.com/RVxS4Nu8XO
— Adam Daly (@AdamDalyNews) December 15, 2018
Gardaí say that the woman who found the baby was being given assistance due to the “traumatic experience” she endured. The woman is a volunteer who regularly cleans the beach.
Gardaí say that the beach is in an isolated location but that it would be well known to locals.
Anyone with information on the discovery of the body is being asked to contact Balbriggan Garda Station on 01-8020510.
The mother of the baby is alternatively encouraged to contact Tusla on 0818776315.
- With reporting by Rónán Duffy
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Very sad altogether, hope they find the mom
@Denise Claffey: absolutely. AND the Dad…
@Margate: who may not even know hes a dad
@James O’Donovan: or possibly does not, or didnt, want to know either..
@Margate: or possibly any conclusion or predisposition you or anyone else would like to come to.
@Margate: nah, you can have many fathers but you’ll only ever have one mother
@Margate: they’re appealing to find the mother because she may need medical attention.
RIP. God love the Mother too
Oh no.. :(
I live in Balbriggan & the community here is in shock.. nobody knows the circumstances behind this tragedy so please keep comments respectful.. So so sad. Rest in peace little one.. xxx
@Babs McMahon: I can’t believe it Babs, wondered what all the sirens were going on in balbriggan this morning. I hope they find the mother ASAP as who knows what’s going on right now for her.
@Rachael Baldwin: So so sad Rachael xxx
Very very sad
There’s a need to introduce a safebox system at fire stations & the likes.
@sequoia: For what? Posting unwanted babies? Think about your comment there.
@Michael Lynch:
I have thought about it. That’s exactly what it’s for.
The baby is left anonymously with people who are medically trained.
@Michael Lynch: would you rather them left on a beach in December? If it saves a baby’s life I would be for them. I feel for the poor mother and baby and hope the mother has received help.
Awful news
That’s the sort of news that will ruin your day no matter what. Absolute tragedy
@JC: Wow yeah cause it’s all about you. A poor child is dead and you are thinking about yourself oh so sorry YOUR day has been ruined
@hasnooneasked: Chill.
Bloody hell that’s tragic. That mother needs to found also and given proper help and care. Very very sad.
Tragic for all, very sad and difficult situation.
Poor Baby and poor Mother hope to god she goes and gets the help she needs. Very sad. RIP little one.
Oh god I thought that we had left those days well behind us. Hoping that the baby’s mother is being looked after
Tragic, poor little mite.
How? Why? So many questions.
@Shane McCann: be grateful that you were not the one who ran out of answers :(
@LYNDALAND: that is a deeply insightful and compassionate comment.
Poor Baby , poor mammy.
How sad… The poor girl/woman… Don’t know the full story so I’m not judging
Tragic ….poor mother wherever she is…seek help .
Awfully sad! R.I.P little one.
Rip sweet angel so sad
Horrific news. Poor child :-(
So very sad for both baby and mother..
Terrible
Rip sweet angel so sad
Omg so said.
That’s heartbreaking. The poor thing.
God, that is so sad!! Poor little baby! My heart goes out to the mother. She must have been desperate and alone. I hope they find her and that she gets the care that she needs. I wonder if the dad knew of her pregnancy? R.I.P. little one.
Absolutely horrific, the poor little mite. Hope the mam can be found and is safe and well. Nobody should have to go through what she has inevitably been through.
Ffs
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