Department on stand-by over abandoned baby

THE Department of Foreign Affairs was on standby to provide emergency travel documents last night as efforts continued to reunite a young mother with the baby she abandoned in Australia.

The young woman was tracked down to her family home near New Ross, Co Wexford, at 8.30am yesterday morning following a four-day international search involving local and national police in Australia, London and Ireland as well as Interpol.

The 21-year-old’s identity was being closely guarded last night as she received medical attention and was counselled on her options for her own future and that of her baby son. Although upset at her situation and drained after her long journey home, she was said last night to be safe, well and in physically good shape.