Gardaí in Mayo are investigating reports that a backstreet circumcision was recently carried out on an eight-month-old baby boy in Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo.
The procedure is alleged to have taken place at a centre for asylum-seekers in the town and was reported to gardaí by community welfare officers after the victim was subsequently examined by a local doctor.
The matter was notified on July 28th to the State's Reception and Integration Agency (RIA), which is responsible for accommodating asylum-seekers and refugees and co-ordinating the provision of health and other services to these groups.
The agency, in a recent letter to health boards, said the practice was allegedly being carried out "by a white male, age unknown, blond-haired with blue eyes and glasses, approximately 5 ft 11 in in height and a black woman, approximately 50 years of age, who travel in a red Alfa Romeo motor car, registration number unknown".
The letter, seen by The Irish Times, added: "The procedure is carried out for a sum of €175 which may be paid in instalments. The pair are apparently canvassing pregnant women offering their services if baby boys are delivered."
It continued: "It is possible that this couple are travelling around the entire country offering their services to persons living in RIA accommodation centres and/or private rented accommodation.
"An illegal circumcision was carried out last year on a baby in Waterford with tragic results. Public health nurses and other health professionals who have contact with newborn babies and also local gardaí may need to be alerted to the possibility of this illegal activity taking place within their areas."
Gardaí in Swinford have confirmed they are investigating. The Western Health Board said when the circumcision was brought to its attention, it notified the gardaí.
"Our social work department also contacted the mother and are happy that all child protection issues have been properly addressed," it said in a statement.
"We have advised management of the hostel and the residents of the hostel that if they require this procedure they should ask their GP to be referred to their local hospital where the procedure can be carried out in a safe environment," it added.
Similarly, the Department of Health said yesterday that people should only attend registered medical practitioners.
A Nigerian man is on bail having been charged with performing an illegal circumcision with a razor blade on a 29-day- old Waterford boy a year ago.
The child subsequently died. His case has been adjourned to the October session of Waterford Circuit Criminal Court.
After that child's death, the Department of Health established a committee to look at the provision of circumcision for socio-cultural reasons.