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.