Kerry Babies: Joanne Hayes says '36 years of suffering finally behind us' 

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris expressed 'deep and sincere regret' for 'the truly appalling hurt and distress' caused to Ms Hayes and her family

Joanne Hayes received an apology from the State today, including an overturn of any findings of wrongdoing against her arising from the Kerry Babies Tribunal.

“It is my sincere hope and belief that after 36 years the suffering and stress of this ordeal is now finally behind us.” 

Those are the words of Joanne Hayes after the Minister for Justice and Garda Commissioner in the High Court expressed “deep and sincere regret” for "the truly appalling hurt and distress” caused to Ms Hayes and her family. The now 60-year-old was wrongly accused of murdering a baby found on a Kerry beach in the 1980s.