Conjoined twins born at National Maternity Hospital

A pair of conjoined twins have been born at the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin, a spokeswoman for the hospital confirmed today.

The spokeswoman said the twins were born at 8.30am yesterday and were immediately transferred to Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin.

She said the hospital was bound by patient confidentiality and could not release further information.

Conjoined twins have been born in Ireland on at least two previous occasions.

In April 1989, Katie and Eilish Holton were born conjoined, but Katie died when they were separated three years later.

Patricia and Mary McCarthy were also born conjoined in 1960, but Patricia died when they were separated in England the following year.