Baby girl's body found in holdall

GARDAI´ have appealed to the mother of a baby girl found dead in a holdall to seek medical attention.

They said they were concerned for her welfare following the grim discovery of the baby’s body near Ringsend, Co Dublin, yesterday.

The infant, understood to be full term, was discovered by a man who had been swimming near a section of beach at 4pm.

“We believe the child could have been a few days old. At the moment there is nothing to suggest that she died a violent death,” a garda spokesman said.

Gardaí appealed to the mother to either contact them or go to hospital. Deputy State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy carried out a post-mortem on the baby last night at Dublin City mortuary. Gardaí said they would not be revealing the cause of death.

The discovery was made by the man at Sean Moore Park, a popular walkway near Sandymount Strand. He noticed a black holdall lying near rocks close to the shore and discovered, inside it, the baby wrapped up in a towel.

The man contacted the emergency services immediately and a local doctor pronounced the infant dead at the scene.

Gardaí sealed off the area and carried out a technical examination. Dr Cassidy arrived at the scene a short time later and carried out a preliminary post-mortem.

Gardaí, led by Chief Superintendent Bill Donoghue, have set up an incident room at Irishtown garda station.

The area around Sean Moore Park is popular with walkers. Gardaí hope that people who passed through there recently may hold vital clues.

They are appealing for anybody who might have noticed anything suspicious to contact them at 01 6669600.