Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Garrett Mullan/Twitter
Balbriggan

Balbriggan locals 'united in grief' hold candlelit vigil for baby Belle

Baby Belle’s body was found last Saturday morning on Bell’s Beach in Balbriggan.

OVER A HUNDRED local people in Balbriggan held a candlelit vigil last night for a stillborn baby girl -named Belle by gardaí – whose body was found on a north Dublin beach last weekend. 

The newborn’s body was found at 10am on Saturday morning on Bell’s Beach in Balbriggan, by a woman who was cleaning the area. It is believed the body was wrapped in some cloth and had been left on the beach not long after it had been born.

Last night locals gathered for a short vigil to remember baby Belle, urging her mother to come forward with one poster reading a “Christmas message”:

Be not afraid to seek medical help. We love you. 

Gardaí, along with health and social care professionals have stressed that the mother of Belle is not under any criminal investigation or in trouble, but that she needs to seek medical assistance.

Local Social Democrat representative Garrett Mullan told TheJournal.ie that everyone there last night was “overwhelmingly concerned” for the welfare of the mother.  

“It’s hard to get your head around what happened but no one is making any assumptions. 

“We can’t imagine what was going on at the time but the turn out last night shows that everyone is concerned for the mother.” 

A number of phone calls have been received by gardaí in relation to the discovery, and will be followed up. It is believed that a DNA sample will also be taken from Belle’s body.

Gardaí said that the mother can call them in confidence on 1800 666 111. The National Maternity Hospital can be contacted on 01 6373100. The Tusla 24 hour service can be reached at 0818 776315.

With reporting from Cormac Fitzgerald. 

Your Voice
Readers Comments
21
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel