Roscrea funeral for baby found in field

The unidentified infant who was found dead in a field before Christmas, was buried in St Cronan's cemetery overlooking Roscrea…

The unidentified infant who was found dead in a field before Christmas, was buried in St Cronan's cemetery overlooking Roscrea, Co Tipperary, yesterday.

Many flowers, teddy bears and bouquets, some reading: "John, God Bless You", marked the grave.

More than 100 Roscrea people gathered to pay respects to the infant who was buried after funeral Mass at noon.

Father Sean Horgan said during the homily that they prayed "for the mother of the child, who is unknown to us. We pray that God's fatherly grace may console her and reconcile her."

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After Mass, there was a procession from the church to the adjoining cemetery. . He was named after St. John Kanty, whose feast day is December 23, the day of the baby's birth and death. The funeral was organised by the Mid Western Health Board. Mr P.J. Cleary, director of nursing at Nenagh General Hospital, who represented the board at the funeral, said the funeral was "a sad experience for all concerned".

Gardai stressed that if the mother of the infant came forward she would be treated in a confidential manner and would be offered counselling and medical attention. The dead infant was found in a field near the Cois Carrig housing estate on December 23rd.