Foetus discovered in Co Donegal

Gardaí have appealed to the mother of foetus found on a road in Donegal to come forward in confidence in order to undergo medical treatment.

The foetus, which is understood to be between 12 and 16 weeks old, was discovered yesterday evening by a woman when she came out of her house at Brenter, Dunkineely, Co Donegal.

The women saw what she believed were pieces of a foetus at the bottom of her driveway and on the road beside her house.

Gardaí and a doctor were called to the scene and the find was confirmed as a human foetus.

It was removed to Letterkenny General Hospital for post mortem and the office of the Donegal south coroner Dr Diarmuid Hegarty was contacted.

The area where the foetus was found is a rural spot but has a number of houses and holiday cottages in the immediate vicinity.

Gardaí believe the foetus had not been at the scene for very long and are concerned for the welfare of the mother, whose identity is unknown.

Garda sources stressed that the focus of local officers is on the welfare and health of the mother. They said she would be treated in confidence and with respect if she came forward and indentified herself.