Updated 9.25pm

A NEWBORN BABY was taken to hospital this afternoon after being found covered in a plastic bag in a Dublin industrial estate.

The child, believed to be a baby girl, was found in the industrial estate on the Steelstown Road near Rathcoole at around 3.30pm this afternoon.

The child was tended to at the scene by medical staff and gardaí, and was taken to Tallaght Hospital. The baby’s condition is described as stable.

This evening, gardaí were still searching for the baby’s mother, and appealed for her to get in touch.

At a press conference at Clondalkin Garda station earlier today, Superintendent Brendan Connolly said:

Gardaí are concerned for the welfare of the mother of this child and are appealing for her to seek immediate medical treatment  and to contact Gardaí who are anxious to reunite her with her baby.

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.

Originally published 5.21pm

- Additional reporting Aoife Barry