THE body of a newborn baby was found near Portarlington, Co Laois, yesterday. Gardai have appealed to the public for help in finding the mother, whom they believe may need medical attention.
The body was found yesterday afternoon in a Church of Ireland graveyard at Rathmiles, Portarlington. It was in a black plastic bag of kitchen rubbish, which had been placed in the graveyard or thrown over the wall.
The baby is believed to be only a few days old, and investigating gardai were unable to say if it was a boy or a girl.
Garda sources said there had clearly been an effort to conceal the body in the rubbish.
A local man reported the discovery to Portarlington gardai at midday yesterday. They found it by a wall under trees.
The State Pathologist, Dr John Harbison, and a team from the Garda Technical Bureau arrived at the scene yesterday evening. The body was removed to Portlaoise General Hospital at approximately 9.20 p.m.
Gardai, who were carrying out house to house inquiries in the quiet, rural area of Laois last night, said they needed help to find the mother "who may be in need of medical care".
They said: "A first priority is the health of the mother and anyone who can assist is assured of absolute confidentiality and that the matter will be dealt with in a sensitive and caring manner."
While the rubbish bag containing the body was found at 12.30 p.m. yesterday, gardai believe it could have been in the graveyard for up to 24 hours, and was probably placed there on Thursday night.
They were hoping last night that a relative or friend of the mother, who might be aware of her condition or have noticed her distress, would come forward so that she could receive medical help.
It is believed that she lives in the town or in the, immediate area.
Supt McCarthy appealed to anyone with information to con tact Portarlington Gardai at 0502 23112 or Portlaoise Gardai at 21105.