The toddler found abandoned beside a busy by-pass after his father was arrested for drunkenness was already known to social workers who previously expressed concern for his welfare.
The 2 1/2-year-old boy was at the centre of a joint Garda-health board investigation last night after he was discovered by a sniffer dog shivering in deep undergrowth early yesterday morning.
His parents have been homeless in the past and are currently staying in long-term bed-and- breakfast accommodation on Dublin's north side.
Garda∅ said last night the investigation into the circumstances in which he was discovered was continuing but no immediate arrests were expected.
The little boy was found at 3.10 a.m. yesterday after his frantic aunt rang garda∅ to say he was missing.
The child had been in the care of his father when he was arrested under section 59 of the Road Traffic Act at 8.30 p.m. the previous evening for being drunk and a danger to traffic while walking along the Chapelizod by-pass.
The man spent several hours in Kilmainham Garda station without revealing that he had been driving and had abandoned his car and his young son a short distance from where he was arrested.
It was only when a relative of the man collected him from the station and took him to his sister's home that it was discovered the youngster was supposed to have been with him.
Garda∅ quickly located the abandoned car but there was no sign of the child and sniffer dogs kennelled at Kilmainham were brought in.
The child was found in a distressed state and brought to Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin where he was treated for hypothermia. He remained in hospital as the subject of a care order last night while his future was decided.
The East Coast Area Health Board which is handling the case said social workers were in contact with the boy and his family and were assessing the situation. "Our concern is to put in place the most appropriate supports and care for the child," said a spokesman.
Insp Gerry Redmond of Kilmainham said Garda inquiries were continuing and officers were working in co-operation with the health board. "We are working hand in hand with the social workers and if we establish that any offence has been committed, we will take it from there."