Stabbed baby's body may be exhumed

An inquest into the death of a baby girl discovered fatally stabbed in a lane in Dun Laoghaire in 1973 today heard an exhumation of the body may be considered.

The unidentified infant was buried in the communal Little Angels’ plot of Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin in the 1970s.

Dublin County Coroner Doctor Kieran Geraghty today said: “The question of an exhumation may have to be considered.”

The inquest was reopened more than 30 years after the baby’s death following representations from solicitors acting for Cynthia Owen who has come forward and claimed to be the mother of the baby.

The woman, who is now in her 40s, has claimed the baby was one of two she gave birth to as a young teenager as a result of sexual abuse in the 1970s.

After the inquest into the unidentified baby girl was adjourned pending the Director of Public Prosecution’s consideration of the garda file, Ms Owen said: “I am disappointed to hear the coroner has adjourned the inquest to June 6, however I am very pleased to hear he is now considering an exhumation of my daughter’s remains at Glasnevin Cemetery.”