Gardaí searching Dublin garden for baby's body

Gardaí are digging up the back garden of a house in Dalkey in Co Dublin in connection with the possible death of a baby in the area thirty years ago.

It's connected to the discovery in 1973 of the body of a baby girl in a laneway in Dun Laoire in 1973.

Detectives have never established the identity of that baby or her mother despite extensive inquiries.

They received more information about the case about ten years ago and submitted a file to the DPP.

He directed that there be no prosecution.

Garda investigations into the possible existence of the body of a second baby have continued since then and today's dig is connected with that.

It's expected to continue for some days.

Gardaí have emphasised that the family currently living in the house have moved out temporarily and are not involved in their current investigation, which dates back to the 1970s when another family lived in the house.

Many neighbours in the estate said they were not surprised to see the excavation taking place but others who had only recently moved in said they were shocked.

Some neighbours continued to water their flowers and plants in the summer sunshine while others peered out at the activity around the house from behind lace curtains.

Gardaí are keeping the site under 24-hour protection and are expected to remain in place for several days until it had completed.