Woman charged with abducting baby ‘sorry for what she did’

A WOMAN charged with abducting a baby from a maternity hospital told gardaí she was sorry for what she had done, a court heard yesterday.

Marie Crean had been seen in the vicinity of the Erinville Hospital in Cork numerous times when she had no reason to be there, it was claimed. Crean, 36, of Eglinton Place, Western Road, was charged at Cork District Court with intentionally taking a baby from the lawful control of his mother on the evening of September 24.

Garda Declan O’Brien told the court Crean had previously been arrested for being drunk at the hospital in the early hours of July 27. He said security staff had seen her in the hospital many times.

A baby boy, one of twins, was allegedly abducted at the hospital at 8.40pm on Tuesday night. Security staff prevented the child being removed from the building.

Three hours later at Western Road, Cork, Crean was arrested and brought to the Bridewell Garda Station.After being charged, she replied: “I’m sorry I done it”.

Defence solicitor, Donal Daly, applied for Crean to be released on bail. Judge Uinsin MacGruairc refused bail and remanded her in custody for a week. He also requested a psychiatric report.

Detective Sergeant Declan O’Sullivan said: “Having spoken to the defendant at length today and last night I firmly believe she is in urgent need of psychiatric help.

“It was potentially a very serious incident which could have had a possibly tragic outcome, but for the alert staff at the hospital. She has expressed a desire to seek help. I believe she should not be granted bail for the safety of other children. Her state of mind at this point is not well, she does need help.”

Garda O’Brien also said he believed Crean should not be released on bail. In response to questions from her own solicitor, Crean said she would turn up in court if released on bail. Crean will appear at Cork District Court again next Wednesday.