Gardai search for day-old baby snatched from hospital in Cork

Gardai were last night searching for a baby boy who was snatched from a maternity hospital in Cork city. The one-day-old baby was taken from the Erinville Hospital, Western Road, by a woman at around 7.20 p.m.

It is believed the woman slipped past the hospital security and snatched the baby as he slept in the hospital creche.

A security tag worn by the baby triggered an alarm as he was being taken from the hospital and security staff gave chase. The woman got into a car with the child. The car left by the rear exit and drove off against the traffic on the one-way system. Gardai said the woman appeared to have a driver waiting in the car. "We're still at a very early stage in our inquiry," said a Garda source. "The fact that a car was waiting suggests this was planned but the fact they went up a one-way system would seem to contradict that. We just don't know at this stage."

The car was a red, Toyota Corolla 1988 hatchback with a Limerick registration.

Staff at the hospital were fearful for the baby's health given that he is only one day old.

The baby's mother - who is in her 20s - was devastated by the abduction and was being comforted by her husband. The parents of the missing baby are from north Munster and have two other children.

Hospital staff appealed to whoever took the baby to return him immediately so he can be checked by doctors.

An Erinville Hospital spokesman said the matter was sensitive and declined to comment. Gardai wish to talk to anyone in the hospital at 7 p.m. and who may have noticed anything. In particular, they are anxious to speak to a woman in her 20s who was accompanied by two young girls. Information can be given to the gardai at Anglesea Street (Tel: 021 452 2000).