Civil liberties group urges caution on DNA screening after exhumation of Baby John

As the Caherciveen investigation continues, the ICCL's Liam Herrick urges gardaí to take care in regard to people's privacy and 'the enjoyment of the presumption of innocence'

'Mass DNA screening raises numerous rights issues including rights to protection of private life, dignity, bodily integrity, and the enjoyment of the presumption of innocence,' said Liam Herrick executive director of the Irish Council of Civil Liberties File picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

The decision to exhume 'Baby John' could lead to a mass DNA screening in and around the area where his body was found 37 years ago and prompted the notorious Kerry babies case.

However, garda sources have stressed that there are currently no plans to undertake such screening, and civil liberties groups have cautioned that such a move would have to be taken very sensitively.