Gardaí investigate stillbirth of baby deemed by social workers to be at risk

Gardaí are investigating the death of a baby in Kilkenny at the weekend.

It is understood the mother had no antenatal care in advance of the birth of the child, though HSE social workers were aware she was pregnant and the unborn child was deemed to be at risk.

The baby was born unassisted at the mother’s home in Kilkenny city and was a stillbirth. Gardaí were called to the home on Saturday and the mother and her baby were taken to St Luke’s General Hospital.

The woman discharged herself from the hospital shortly afterwards and returned to her home.

A Garda spokesman confirmed members of the force were called out to the house after the woman had given birth and were investigating the case.

He said he could not comment on the death.

A coroner’s inquest would be held in a few months’ time, he said.

A spokeswoman for the HSE said it was aware of the situation and that it was working closely with gardaí.