Abandoned baby to be discharged from hospital soon

The baby abandoned in Rathcoole in Dublin last Friday could be healthy enough to be discharged from hospital shortly where she would be placed in care.

Baby Maria is still being cared for at the Coombe Hospital and today Gardaí renewed their appeal to her mother to make contact with them as they are concerned she may need medical attention.

The mother of the infant has been assured she will be treated with compassion and sensitivity if she comes forward.

Child Welfare Consultant, Kieran Mc Grath, has said that there are a number of steps that could be taken in the short-term if the mother makes herself known.

"If the child is fit for discharge from hospital she will be placed in foster care and it is usually short-term foster placement for this kind of child," said McGrath.

"In terms of the mother, clearly everybody wants to help her as much as possible but there will certainly be questions. Every effort will be made to look after her and the baby, and to reunite them if possible. But that does require an initial assessment to see what the circumstances were that led up to this and also what support she may need in the long-term."