Parents welcome first babies of 2012

The country's first babies of 2012 are enjoying the first hours of the new year.

Amelie Rose was born in the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin at 35 seconds past midnight.

Waterford Regional also recorded a baby boy, born to parents Amy and Gerard Mitchell at two minutes past midnight.

Jennifer Dowman welcomed her sixth son into the world at the Coombe hospital in Dublin, 17 minutes into the year.

Amelie Rose's mum Catriona Mitchell, who is from Churchtown in Dublin, said: "She was born 7lbs, 5oz and is doing really well. She was due on the 6th, so she gave us a little surprise."