GARDAI VOW TO DELIVER JUSTICE FOR BABY JOHN
Cop appeals for mother to assist murder probe
GARDAI have appealed to the mother of the baby who was found stabbed to death on a beach in 1984 to come forward.
Officers investigating the murder of five-day-old baby John reached out to the woman following the exhumation of his body in Co Kerry this week.
His remains were exhumed as part of the ongoing investigation into his death.
Supt Flor Murphy said: “We want to deliver justice for a five-day-old baby whose very, very brief life was cut short.
“The operation yesterday demonstrates our total commitment to deliver justice for baby John and to find answers to those questions that have been around for 37 years.”
Supt Murphy believes the baby’s mother is the key to the investigation.
Speaking to Radio Kerry, he added: “We believe she has suffered loss and pain and hurt and grief, and I am appealing to her to come forward.
“She will be dealt with compassion and we understand the pain she has endured over the past 37 years.
“[This] step was important to resolve the sad events of 37 years ago and try and bring closure to these events.” John’s remains were removed by gardai at Holy Cross Cemetery in Caherciveen on Tuesday morning and taken to the morgue at University Hospital Kerry.
A Garda spokesman said: “Investigating gardai continue to appeal for any information in relation to this ongoing investigation and can be contacted at Killarney Garda station at 064 6631222, the Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.”
Gardai also offered a formal apology to Joanne Hayes as she had been wrongly accused of murdering the baby.