A post mortem is due to be carried out today on the body of a baby girl pronounced dead on arrival to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick yesterday.
The seven-month-old baby was rushed to hospital from a house in the Ballynanty area of Limerick city shortly after 1 p.m. yesterday.
Gardaí were last night unable to confirm how the infant died, and said they had called in the assistance of the State pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy, who is due to carry out a post mortem this morning.
"We don't know the exact cause of death at this point in time," said one Garda source.
Meanwhile, the house where the baby was found was being preserved yesterday afternoon for forensic examinations.
A statement by the Mid-Western Health Board issued last night said the baby girl was declared dead on arrival to the emergency department of the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick yesterday afternoon.
"The board understands that a Garda investigation is under way and that the State pathologist will conduct a post mortem," read the statement.
"In accordance with normal practice in these situations, the board is not in a position to make any further comment," it concluded.