Gardaí hopeful of clues on baby Maria

Gardaí are hoping an examination of blankets found wrapped around abandoned baby Maria could reveal crucial evidence leading to the identification of the newborn’s mother.

Officers are investigating if the barcode on the labels attached to a small blue blanket and a large brown Primark (Penneys) throw may tell them where the items were bought and even at what time. This might allow them to examine in-store CCTV cameras at cash desks at the relevant time in a bid to identify the individual buying the items.

Garda sources, however, cautioned that experience had shown that barcodes were “not consistent” in providing the information.