Baby in bag died shortly after birth

THE baby boy found buried in a plastic bag in Co Mayo was 7lbs in weight and born around the middle of last week, a post mortem yesterday revealed.

Gardaí say all indications were that the birth of the baby boy was unassisted.

His naked body was found in a shallow grave on commonage at Kilgalligan village near Carrowteigue in Ballina at 2pm on Sunday by a group of teenagers.

The post mortem revealed the baby died shortly after birth but further tests will have to take place to determine the exact cause of death.

The post mortem was carried out at Mayo General Hospital yesterday afternoon by State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy.

Chief Superintendant Tony McNamara last night repeated his concern for the health and wellbeing of the mother and appealed for her to come forward.

“In cases like this, mothers can develop complications. We are very concerned about the mother’s health,” he said.

A female gynaecologist and a professional psychologist are on standby to attend to the mother should she come forward.

“These professionals will travel to meet this woman in any location in absolute privacy and secrecy. I can give the woman involved my personal assurance that she will be dealt with sensitively and with compassion,” Chief Superintendant McNamara said.

Gardaí in Belmullet last night said they were carrying out house-to-house enquiries.

The remains of the baby boy will be kept at Mayo General Hospital until gardaí decide to release it for burial.

A curate at the local Kilcummin parish, Father Liam Reilly, said his parishioners were deeply shocked by the discovery.

“There is still a great sense of shock. People are still numbed from the experience. When the news broke there was deep, overwhelming sadness, tears and disbelief,” Fr Reilly said.

“I have been talking with the boys who found the body and they are shaken to the core. It was a gruesome discovery for them but they are strong.” Fr Reilly joined the gardaí in appealing for the baby’s mother to come forward.

“My thoughts are with her and I would appeal to her to come forward for her own sake,” he said.

“All circumstances considered there is a strong possibility that she needs medical attention and emotional support. This started for her nine months ago,” he said.

Anybody with any information is asked to contact Belmullet gardaí or a confidential garda hotline on 1850 666 111.