The eight-month-old baby boy found abandoned in a cathedral in Carlow town yesterday was taken from his home in England two days ago, it has emerged.
The baby was taken from the home of his legal guardian in the Kirkby-in-Ashfield area of Nottinghamshire on Thursday morning, police said today.
He was discovered at about 2.20pm yesterday in the Cathedral of the Assumption by a member of the public. A note was attached to the baby's buggy giving his name and date of birth.
Gardaí were contacted, and the baby was brought into the care of the Health Service Executive.
Nottinghamshire police said this evening they were investigating the circumstances in which the boy was taken from his home.
“Police have worked extensively to locate the child and had already established that he may have been taken to Ireland when the Irish police confirmed that he had been found safe and well,” a spokesman said.
He said the boy would be reunited with his legal guardian next week.
Police said the baby had "no obvious connection" with Ireland and there appears to be no specific reason for abandoning him in Carlow.
Officers added that they were “concerned” for a man and a woman believed to have been involved in the incident.
Gardaí are searching for a couple who were seen on CCTV near the cathedral in a white car with an English registration plate.