No link found between murdered man and abandoned infant

Gardaí have said no link has been established between a murdered man found in Rathcoole, Co Dublin at the weekend and the discovery of an infant in the same area three weeks ago.

Andrew Guerrine (37), with an address at Crumlin, Dublin, was discovered at a gateway on the roadside on Steelstown Lane near Rathcoole, off the N7 motorway, in the early hours of last Saturday.

The abandoned baby, named Maria by hospital staff, was found wrapped in a fleece blanket and placed in a shopping bag, on May 8th, at the same location.

Supt Brendan Connolly of Clondalkin Garda station has said no link has been established between the two discoveries.

But gardaí believe criminals who murdered Mr Guerrine may have been aware from media reports of the baby’s discovery that there was no CCTV coverage in the area and no commercial premises nearby.

Passing driver

Mr Guerrine, who was known to gardaí, was discovered by a passing driver, who alerted emergency services shortly before 3am on Saturday.

Gardaí and an ambulance went to the scene and Mr Guerrine was pronounced dead where he lay.

The scene was closed off over the weekend for a technical examination and a divisional search team searched the area.

A Garda helicopter was used to assist in the search and house-to-house inquiries were conducted.

Mr Guerrine’s body was taken to Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown for postmortem.

The examination was carried out by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster.

Gardaí have said the detailed results will not be released for operational reasons, but said the victim died in violent circumstances and a murder investigation has formally commenced.

Multiple stab wounds

It is understood Mr Guerrine died of multiple stab wounds to his neck and body.

A Garda family liaison officer has been appointed to Mr Guerrine’s family and an incident room established at Clondalkin Garda station.

Supt Connolly said gardaí wished to appeal for witnesses who may have been in the area before Mr Guerrine’s body was discovered.

“We are very anxious to speak with anyone who travelled on Steelstown Lane between 12 midnight and 3 am [on Saturday] morning and urge them to contact us at Clondalkin Garda station,” he said.

He said members of the public could contact the station on 01 6667600 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666111, or any Garda station.

Despite several appeals, baby Maria's parents have not made contact with Túsla, the Child and Family Agency, and she is now in State care.