‘No sinister link’ to baby’s death

THE body of a baby girl found in the attic of a house in Co Limerick had been there for several months, gardaí disclosed yesterday.

They also revealed the discovery was made on July 5.

Superintendent Joe Roe said the matter was being treating with the utmost sensitivity. Gardaí, he said, were satisfied that there was no sinister aspect to the death of the newborn child.

The mother of the baby, who is in her late 20s, has a number of other children and lived in the rented bungalow about two miles from Rathkeale with her partner.

The baby’s body was found after the owner, a local farmer, went to the house after his tenants moved out and investigated a strong smell. It is understood there was wrapping around the remains.

Supt Roe said: “Assistant State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis conducted a post-mortem examination and while we haven’t yet got the results, there was no sign of anything sinister.”

He said there were some aspects of the case still being examined by gardaí.

“We are working with the mother through a liaison officer and she is continuing to assist us. There are some aspects that have yet to be looked at and this has to be done with the utmost compassion,” he said.

The State Pathologist’s office was contacted and the post-mortem examination was carried out at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital.

The family in question had moved out of the house the previous day, having acquired another house in the West Limerick area.

A spokesman for the Health Service Executive Mid-West said yesterday: “We are aware of the situation. We are providing appropriate support for the family in conjunction with the relevant local agencies. The HSE is co-operating with the gardaí in relation to their investigation.”

The baby was buried at a private funeral on July 8.