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.

It comes as Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, secured an interim care order from the Family Court authorising doctors to conduct medical examinations, including a brain scan and DNA tests, on the baby.

As reported on Today with Sean O’Rourke, Judge Brendan Toale said the child’s health and welfare had been neglected and avoidably impaired.

The newbornwas found on the side of a rural road in Rathcoole, west Dublin, last Friday, in a Marks & Spencer paper bag. The baby was covered with a blue cloth and a light brown fleece throw. Over that, she was wrapped in a black plastic bin liner.

Supt Brendan Connolly said the weather was “very poor” and the child “very cold”. He said it was fortunate a car was passing at the time and a person got out.

Garda sources said they were investigating all options. “If you didn’t want the baby to be discovered, you would not leave it where it was found,” said a source. “On the other hand, if you wanted the baby to be discovered you would not leave it there either as it was a stroke of luck it was found alive.”

He added that the mother may not have been thinking straight or may have psychiatric issues, and other parties may have been involved.

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