Baby abandoned in holdall

GARDAÍ are concerned for the welfare of the mother of a three-day-old baby girl found abandoned in Cork city yesterday afternoon.

The infant was discovered in a holdall bag that was left on the bonnet of a car close to the city’s South Infirmary Hospital.

Gardaí believe the infant was found by a member of the hospital’s security staff just minutes after being abandoned.

Last night gardaí appealed to the baby’s mother to come forward.

They fear for the woman’s health and have urged her to seek help immediately.

A garda spokesman said the mother will be treated with compassion.

“We want to assure the mother that she has nothing to fear and we’re asking her to come forward,” the spokesman said.

Gardaí are also eager to speak to any member of the public who has information about the baby girl.

“If there’s anyone out there who knows anything about this baby, we want them to contact us,” a garda spokesperson said.

The baby is being cared for at Cork University Hospital (CUH).

Staff at the hospital said the infant is doing well and has no health problems.

“She is under observation at CUH and seems in very good health,” a Southern Health Board spokesperson said.