Woman linked to baby hoax in hospital after suspected overdose

A MOTHER of seven questioned by gardaí investigating claims that a newborn baby was abandoned in a north Dublin flat was in a serious condition in hospital last night following a suspected overdose.

The 33-year-old from the Midlands was found slumped in a car on the banks of Lough Ennell, about two miles from Mullingar.

She was taken to Mullingar General Hospital after being discovered unconscious at 1.20pm yesterday. Her father had earlier reported her missing and a search was launched at 10am.

The woman was quizzed in connection with the calls that led to a three-day hunt in Ballymun for a baby. She rang two helplines and Ballymun garda station claiming she left the baby behind a sofa in a flat in the north Dublin complex.

Gardaí later revealed the calls had been a hoax. The mother was arrested at 6.30pm on Thursday evening and questioned about wasting garda time and resources.

She was released at 3.50am and returned to her home, but only for a short time.

At daybreak, her father went out looking for his daughter and at 10am reported her missing. He told gardaí she had left the house and not returned home.

The formal search was only just beginning when the woman was found unconscious. The Midland Health Board confirmed last night she was in a serious condition.

Gardaí are investigating yesterday’s developments. It is understood the mother of four girls and three boys took an overdose of prescription pills.

She faces a maximum sentence of five years if charged and convicted on indictment or 12 months if tried before a district court. It is understood detectives from north Dublin travelled to Mullingar to question her.

While a file has been sent to the DPP, garda and legal sources said the woman’s mental condition would have to be taken into account when deciding what action to be taken.

The woman has had a difficult year. In April, her home in the Grange area of the town was destroyed in a fire, forcing her and the children, aged between two and 13, to live for a time in bed and breakfast accommodation.

There are also reports that she recently lost two members of her immediate family and only two months ago suffered a miscarriage.

Representatives from a number of media organisations had arrived in Mullingar in the hope of interviewing her.

Some were in her father’s house as gardaí continued to search for her.