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The area on Steelstown Road outside Rathcoole County Dublin, where the child was found. Eamonn Farrell/Photocall Ireland
Rathcoole

Gardaí appeal to newborn Maria's mum: "Come and see your baby in the hospital"

Frances Fitzgerald says the mother of baby Maria has nothing to fear and her welfare is the main priority.

Updated 6.40pm

A FRESH APPEAL has been issued one week on from when a baby was found abandoned on a roadside in Dublin.

The newborn baby girl, named Maria, was found at the gate of a field on Steelstown Lane in Rathcoole at around 3.30pm on Friday afternoon.

She was wrapped in a blanket and in a black plastic bag when she was found by passers-by.

The mother of the baby has not yet contacted gardaí.

Today, gardaí renewed their appeal for information on the baby. They also made a personal appeal to her mother.

Sergeant Maeve O’ Sullivan, Child Protection Unit, Clondalkin, today said:

This little girl is doing well. I am appealing to the mum to come and see her baby in the Coombe Hospital. I am asking for mum to please contact me personally or any member of Tusla or the medical profession so you can see your daughter.
We remain anxious for the mum to seek medical attention and would also appeal to anyone who can help us in this regard to now do so by contacting me.

Gardaí thanked the public for their help, saying they had received a number of calls from the public, and all the calls have been followed through on.

Earlier this week the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, was granted a care order for baby Maria.

Gardaí canvassed the public at Steelstown Road, Rathcoole between 2pm and 4pm today to jog people’s memory in relation to the events of last Friday.

Speaking yesterday, the Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald says the mother of the baby has nothing to fear and her welfare is the main priority.

 What I’d like to say to the mother is that our main concern is her welfare. I would ask her to get some help.
The gardaí are concerned for her welfare and I am concerned about her welfare. I would appeal for her to come forward and get help.

Anyone with information regarding the mother and/or the newborn child are urged to contact gardaí at Clondalkin on 01 6667600, the Garda confidential line or any Garda station.

Sergeant Maeve O’ Sullivan can be contacted in Clondalkin on 01 6667600 or Tusla can be contacted on 01 6206387

- Additional reporting Aoife Barry

Read: Here’s what we know so far about the baby girl found in Rathcoole last week>

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