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Kerry Babies: Gardaí exhume remains of 'Baby John' as investigation continues

Gardaí have exhumed the remains of a baby who was found dead on a beach in County Kerry in 1984....
Michael Staines
Michael Staines

19.41 14 Sep 2021


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Kerry Babies: Gardaí exhume re...

Kerry Babies: Gardaí exhume remains of 'Baby John' as investigation continues

Michael Staines
Michael Staines

19.41 14 Sep 2021


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Gardaí have exhumed the remains of a baby who was found dead on a beach in County Kerry in 1984.

‘Baby John’ was found with multiple stab wounds on White Strand Beach in Caherciveen on April 14th, 1984.

In 2018 Gardaí carried out door-to-door inquiries in the region and took DNA samples from locals in the hope of tracking down the baby’s family.

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At the time, investigators said they believed members of the community in South Kerry had information on identity of Baby John’s mother – noting that he was alive for five days before his death.

This morning, they exhumed his remains from Holy Cross Cemetery in Caherciveen and took them to University Hospital Kerry for examination.

The exhumation was “carried out at first light” and Baby’s John’s remain were reinterred this afternoon.

Gardaí are continuing to appeal to the public for information.

Gardaí began a ‘cold case review’ of the investigation in January 2018 before taking DNA samples later that year.

In December 2020, the State apologised for the ‘truly appalling hurt and stress’ caused to Joanne Hayes was wrongly charged with murdering the baby.

This evening a Garda spokesperson said: “Investigating Gardaí continue to believe that there are members of the public who have information in relation to the death of Baby John in April 1984 and we are appealing to those people to come forward and help us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station at 064 6631222, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.


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