Details of baby’s murder are ‘profoundly disturbing’

TÁNAISTE Michael McDowell yesterday described the circumstances surrounding the murder of a baby more than 30 years ago as “profoundly disturbing”.

He was responding for the first time to the verdict of a jury in the Dublin Coroner’s Court which found that the newly-born infant, Noleen Murphy, whose body was found in Dun Laoghaire 34 years ago, was indeed the daughter of Cynthia Owen.

Ms Owen was only 11 years old when she gave birth, having been the victim of sexual abuse in her home. The baby was murdered soon after it was born.

Mr McDowell told RTÉ’s This Week that he would work towards establishing a proper inquiry into the case.

“The first thing I intend to do is get a full report from An Garda Síochána about what they did and what they didn’t do and I am minded to bring the matter further because I think it’s obviously of some importance.”

He said that the case was a terrible tragedy and he would give the green light for an inquiry, if appropriate.

Alan Shatter, the former Fine Gael TD, said there might be a case for exhuming the corpse of the infant.

Mr Shatter, a Dáil candidate in Dublin South, said that the minister had turned down a request for exhumation in the past but added that DNA technology was so sophisticated that it might be appropriate.

Meanwhile, Mr McDowell told TV3’s The Political Party that Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s practice of signing blank cheques for Charles Haughey was wrong but understandable. He said that he himself had done the same when treasurer for various organisations.