BABY ALANNAH’S BODY was dumped in one of three locations before being discovered in a Wicklow recycling plant, gardaí believe.
The body of the infant was discovered in the Greenstar recycling facility just off the N11 near Fassaroe on 4 May last year. Staff at the premises initially thought the corpse was in fact a doll. However, when they realised it was an infant, they contacted gardaí.
While gardaí have received a number of calls and investigated dozens of lines of inquiry, they are still unsure as where or why the body of the child was disposed of.
Inspector Sorcha Fitzpatrick of Bray garda station said that any information they receive will be dealt with in the strictest of confidence.
“Initially, staff at Greenstar thought it was a doll. But when they realised it wasn’t, they called us. A post-mortem was carried on the child and the cause of death came back inconclusive. The infant was full-term and it appeared that she suffered no deliberate injuries.
“What we were concerned for at the time and are still concerned about is the welfare of the mother of this child.”
Greenstar handed over all details of what pick ups were made and, more importantly, where they took place. This has led gardaí to trace the dumping of the infant’s body to one of three places.
Unfortunately, that lead ran cold and officers are now urging the public to get in touch if they have any information.
Inspector Fitpatrick added: “Any information we receive will be dealt with in the strictest of confidence. You can request to speak to me or another female officer if that’s what makes the caller more comfortable.”
A service will be held in Bray this morning to mark the anniversary of the death of baby Alannah. Members of the community in north Wicklow have clubbed together to buy a headstone for the child.
Gardaí said they want to bring the case to the forefront of people’s minds in a bid to jog someone’s memory.
Gardaí have this morning renewed their appeal for information.
A spokesman said: “On the 4th May 2016 Gardaí at Bray commenced an investigation following the discovery of the body of a newborn baby girl at a recycling facility in Bray. Her body was removed to Loughlinstown Hospital and a post-mortem examination was conducted on the 5 May by the State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy.”
Gardaí in Bray are appealing to the mother of baby Alannah or to anyone who may have any information that can assist with the investigation to contact them at Bray garda station on 01- 6665300, the garda confidential telephone line 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
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