Interim care order obtained for abandoned baby Maria

The Child and Family Agency Tusla has obtained an interim care order for the baby girl who was found abandoned on the roadside in Rathcoole in Dublin last Friday.

Efforts are continuing to locate the parents of baby Maria, who is being cared for at the Coombe Hospital in Dublin. Once out of hospital, Maria will be placed in short-term foster care.

The Family Court in Dublin yesterday heard she needs ongoing treatment in both the Coombe and Our Lady's Hospital Crumlin.

The judge granted a 28-day order. If the parents do not come forward in that time, the case will come back before the court.

Senior lecturer in Family Law at University College Cork Dr Louise Crowley said: "The legislation that underpins the State's right and obligation to intervene envisages that these orders would be very temporary in nature.

"(The orders) allow the State to react as necessary, but (also) ensure the intervention is very much monitored by the court to ensure the best interests of the child are always looked after."