Gardaí search back garden for remains of baby

GARDAÍ yesterday began searching a back garden for the remains of an infant who may have been buried there more than 30 years ago.

Detectives are investigating whether there is a link to the discovery of a new-born baby in the same south Dublin area in 1973.

A psychologically-distressed woman has told gardaí that she may have given birth to two children in the early to mid 1970s and that she thinks they might have been disposed. The woman was a child at the time, aged around 11, and gardaí investigated allegations that she was sexually abused by her father and brothers.

The dig at a council house in Dalkey, south Dublin, is the former home of the girl and her parents, but is now occupied by a different family.

Gardaí discovered the body of an infant baby in neighbouring Dun Laoghaire in April 1973, but never established her identity or that of the mother.

A garda spokesperson said that despite “exhaustive inquiries and appeals” the investigation failed to progress.

In the mid 1990s, a woman, thought to be the mother, came forward with specific details.

The woman is understood to have remembered the information after undergoing counselling and therapy in Britain.

It is believed she alleged to gardaí that she had been subjected to sexual abuse at the hand of her father and brothers.

A garda spokesperson yesterday confirmed that a file was prepared for the DPP, who decided not to prosecute.

It’s understood that a number of people were arrested as part of the investigation.

Following ongoing therapy in Britain, the woman is believed to have recently remembered further repressed memories indicating that she might have given birth to a second child in the early to mid 1970s.

Garda sources yesterday said the information was sketchy but that, given the previous discovery, they were obliged to carry out the excavation.

The current owners of the home were said to be shocked and horrified when gardaí approached them last week.

They agreed to allow gardaí search the back garden.

Garda sources yesterday said that if any remains were found that it was likely there would be no DNA evidence to suggest who the father might be.