Garda concern for mother of dead baby in Bray

Postmortem to be carried out on body of newborn girl found at waste recycling centre

A postmortem will be carried out on Thursday on the body of a newborn baby girl found at a waste recycling centre near Bray, Co Wicklow.

The body was discovered at about 11am on Wednesday at the recycling centre run by the waste collection company Greenstar at its facility in Fassaroe, near Bray.

It is not known if the baby was born alive and gardaí do not know the circumstances of her death. The baby was not clothed when found.

During a briefing at Bray Garda station on Wednesday night, Supt Pat Ward said there were no obvious signs of injury but a postmortem on Thursday afternoon would determine the cause of death.

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“We don’t know what exactly happened leading up to the birth of the baby.

“However, it is possible that the baby was still born and if this is the case my priority now is to get all medical assistance and support to the baby’s mum.

“I am very concerned for the welfare of the mum of this baby as she is possibly in a distressed state and in need of medical assistance.

“I would please ask for the mum to seek immediate medical treatment.

“I am available here at Bray Garda Station to help the mum and dad of this baby girl and if they would contact me or Sergeant Sorcha Fitzpatrick here at Bray Garda Station we will deal with any contact with us discreetly and sensitively.”

He said gardaí believed the pregnancy probably went to full term and early indications from a medical examination suggested the death occurred recently.

An employee was separating recyclable material when he came upon what he initially thought was a doll. Closer inspection revealed the baby.

The Fassaroe centre accepts waste from all over the country.

Supt Ward said the mother or anyone else – including the father or possibly distressed relatives and friends of the woman – could telephone Bray gardaí at 01 -6665300 or the Garda confidential line 1800-666111.

Peter Murtagh

Peter Murtagh

Peter Murtagh is a contributor to The Irish Times