Girl born in police station drama

A baby girl was born today in a police station in the republican heartland of South Armagh.

Army medical staff helped deliver the little girl, weighing 8lb, at Crossmaglen police station early this morning.

The drama began just after midnight when the expectant father banged on the gates of the station pleading for assistance for his wife who had just gone into labour.

It is understood they were on their way to the hospital when it became clear the birth was imminent.

Police took the woman into the station and made her comfortable while an ambulance was called.

Urgent efforts were then made to contact a local doctor.

A makeshift delivery room was hastily set up and a helicopter put on standby to whisk the woman to nearby Daisyhill Hospital in Newry, Co Down.

Army medics present at the station made the woman ready and within minutes of the ambulance arriving, the baby came into the world.

Mother and child were then taken by ambulance to Daisyhill where they are both doing fine.