The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
GARDAÍ TO SEEK DNA SAMPLES
THE new investigation into the murder of ‘Baby John’ in 1984 will centre on Cahersiveen and locals in the town and its surrounding areas may be asked to give DNA samples to prove they weren’t involved in the child’s death.
The head of the Dublin based Garda Serious Crime Review Team (SCRT) – the force’s ‘Cold Case’ unit – Chief Superintendent Walter O’Sullivan said that the investigation will “start from scratch” and Gardaí would be treating the case as though the baby’s body “had only been found yesterday”.
An incident room has been established in Cahersiveen Garda Station and Superintendent Flor Murphy has been appointed to lead the investigation which will be carried out by a team of 12 to 15 Gardaí from Cahersiveen and the SCRT.
Supt Murphy said advances in DNA technology have allowed Gardaí to establish a number of important facts that enable new avenues of investigation into the death of ‘Baby John’.
This DNA evidence – obtained from samples taken from ‘Baby John’ in 1984 – have also categorically proven that Joanne Hayes is not the baby’s mother.
“I want to reassure the public that this will be a thorough and professional investigation. While this investigation team cannot change what happened in the past, we can help find the answers into what happened to ‘Baby John’ and are determined to do so,” said Supt Murphy.
Chief Superintendent O’Sullivan said that the new investigation will be far-reaching.
As well as re-examining all evidence gathered in 1984, the Garda team will canvas the Cahersiveen area for new infomation; conduct numerous new interviews and revisit various locations that were examined during the original enquiry.
Locals in the area will also be invited to submit DNA samples – if they wish to do so – in order to rule themselves out from the investigation.
Without providing a precise explanation for their reasoning Supt Murphy and Chief Supt O’Sullivan said the Gardaí are convinced ‘Baby John’s’ killer is from Cahersiveen or Iveragh.
“Our strong belief at the current time is that the answers to this are in Cahersiveen and the close, surrounding areas. Please help us find that truth for ‘Baby John’ by contacting us here in Cahersiveen on 066 9473610 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111,” said Supt Murphy.
Chief Supt O’Sullivan and Supt Murphy said that, even after 34 years, they are confident that the case can be solved
“Ireland was a different place in 1984. It was a different society with different societal pressures. We hope that in the Ireland of 2018 people will be more prepared to come forward,” said Supt Murphy.