Cynthia Owen, the woman identified at an inquest eight days ago as the mother of a child found stabbed to death in a laneway 34 years ago, has said she has finally found peace but cannot find happiness until a full public inquiry is held into the case.
Ms Owen gave birth to the infant, named Noleen, at the age of 11 and has claimed the pregnancy was a result of sexual abuse in the family home at White's Villas, Dalkey, south Dublin.
An inquest into the infant's death was reopened in 2005, after Ms Owen initially came forward in 1995 claiming to be the mother of the child.
A jury at Dublin City Coroner's Court unanimously found eight days ago that Ms Owen was the mother of Noleen and that the baby died at the family home in Dalkey from blood haemorrhaging due to stab wounds.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio's News at One yesterday, Ms Owen said she visited her daughter's grave at a communal plot in Glasnevin Cemetery the day after the inquest and felt "a sense of wholeness and peace" at finally being officially recognised as her mother. "I can't say I feel happy or joy or anything on that level but I am relieved that the verdict went my way."
Ms Owen reiterated her call for a full public inquiry into the Garda handling of the murder investigation in 1973 and right up to the present day. "I would like to see someone now taking responsibility and looking into this properly. The authorities have been aware of my concerns for a long time and I would like to think that they'll now take this case seriously and that they will get involved."
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell has requested a full report from the Garda into its handling of the investigation and, based on that review, he may convene a public inquiry.
Ms Owen's appearance on The Late Late Show last night coincided with the second anniversary of the death of her niece Teresa, who committed suicide and left a lengthy suicide letter detailing alleged sexual abuse.
Meanwhile, Gerry Dunne of O'Brien Dunne solicitors, representing Ms Owen, told The Irish Timesthat the full extent of the sexual abuse his client claims she suffered has yet to be heard in public, and a full inquiry is the only way for the truth to emerge and justice be served."If gardaí had investigated the murder properly in 1973 a number of people would still be alive today," said Mr Dunne.