Baby inquest jury fails to return unanimous verdict

The jury in the inquest into the death of a baby girl - found in a plastic bag in a laneway in Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin in 1973 - has failed to return a unanimous verdict.

Following almost four hours of deliberations they have now been directed by Coroner Kieran Geraghty that he will accept a majority ruling.

Just after 3.30 this afternoon, following around three and a half hours of deliberation, the jury failed to return a unanimous verdict.

If they say they believe the evidence given by Cynthia Owen they will be able to establish the identity of the baby.

She claimed that she gave birth to the baby girl in 1973 at the age of eleven after she was sexually abused.

If the jury accepts this they will also be able to determine the time, place and cause of death.

However they won't be able to return a verdict of unlawful killing due to the fact the Coroners Act does not permit blame to be apportioned to anyone.