A 20-year-old Waterford woman has pleaded guilty to abducting a one-day-old baby from a Cork hospital last year. Susan McGovern of Ballinamult, Dungarvan, was charged with intentionally taking John Donal O'Brien from his mother Bridget on September 22nd, 2000.
The baby was only a few hours old when he was taken from Erinville hospital. He was found with McGovern the following morning. Mr Blaise O'Carroll, defending, told Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday he feared for his client's mental health.
Judge Patrick Moran advised the prison authorities to act upon the recommendations of McGovern's doctors as to whether to send her to the Central Mental Hospital or to keep her on 24-hour watch at Limerick Prison.
McGovern was remanded in custody to Limerick Prison until her next court appearance on November 30th.