Kerry Babies: Gardaí submit file to DPP after 'extensive investigation'

The grave of 'Baby John' pictured as the Kerry Babies Press Conference was taking place in Cahersiveen Garda Station in 2018.

Gardaí have submitted an investigation file into the death of a newborn baby boy in Co Kerry in 1984 to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP.)

The infant was discovered on the beach at White Strand, Caherciveen on April 14 1984 with 28 stab wounds.

He was named as Baby John by the local undertaker at the time.

25-year-old Joanne Hayes from Abbeydorney was arrested in connection with the death. 

She and her family were accused of concealing the birth of a child.

Ms Hayes came under suspicion as she had been admitted as a patient at Tralee General Hospital on the day Baby John's body was found. 

She had recently been pregnant but because there was no sign of her baby, leading detectives to wrongly believe she was Baby John's mother.

Following statements made by her in Garda custody, she was charged with the murder of the Caherciveen baby.

The charge was later dropped after the baby she had given birth to had been found on the farm at the spot she had previously pinpointed.

She would receive a state apology in 2018 by then-Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

The parents and murderer of Baby John were never identified.

In a statement issued on Sunday, gardaí said its Kerry division have completed what they say was an “extensive investigation” into the discovery of Baby John’s body.

A spokesperson said: “An Garda Síochána can confirm that an investigation file has been submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

“An Garda Síochána has no further comment at this time.”