The Master of the Coombe maternity hospital, Dr Sean Daly, has renewed an appeal to the mother of a newborn baby found abandoned in Dublin city to come forward.
The baby boy was found wrapped in tinfoil in a shopping bag on Lower Clanbrassil Street at around 12.30 p.m. on Saturday. Doctors believe he was born in the 24 hours prior to that time. He was immediately brought to the Coombe by those who found him and staff there say he is in good health. It is believed the baby's mother may have waited nearby until she was sure he had been found.
The Coombe hospital and gardai are keen to trace the woman as she may be in need of medical treatment. They have given assurances that she will be treated in a caring and sympathetic way and in complete confidentiality.
Dr Daly held a press conference this afternoon at which he appealed to the mother to come forward.
"She's just had a baby, it's an unusual circumstance and we would be concerned that that she's physically well and that she's emotionally well. We have the structures here to look after her and we would like to contact us and she can do that at any time," he said.
Dr Daly said the baby was in good health.
"He was well wrapped up and clearly whoever looked after him was conscious of the fact that he had to be kept warm," he said.
The hospital would like the mother to be involved in decisions on his future, which will be taken in conjunction with the local health board and social services.