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27th Mar 2023

Kerry Babies: Gardaí waiting for DNA test results after releasing couple

Kat O'Connor

They were both released without charge.

Gardaí in Kerry are awaiting DNA test results after arresting a couple in connection with the Kerry Babies case.

A man in his 60s and a woman in her 50s were arrested last week, but strongly deny being connected to the death of Baby John in 1984.

According to The Irish Times, it could take days to receive the test results.

The pair’s lawyer told The Irish Times that they were arrested at their home in Kerry on Thursday

He told the publication: “They each totally and absolutely deny an allegation of murder. They were brought in on foot of some DNA results but there’s a huge chasm between DNA tests and murder.”

On March 24th, the woman in her 50s was released without charge.

On March 25th, the man was also released without charge.

Gardaí stated, “The investigation into the death of Baby John is continuing. A file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.”

What we know about the Kerry Babies case

On April 14th, 1984, the body of a newborn baby boy, later named John, was found on White Strand in Cahersiveen. The infant had been stabbed several times.

RTÉ reports that sometime later, the body of another baby was discovered on a farm in Abbeydorney, North Kerry.

Local woman Joanne Hayes, known to be pregnant at the time, was charged with the murder of baby John in May 1984, and four of her family members were charged with concealment of birth.

She confessed to the killing of the baby, later retracting her confession saying that her newborn had died shortly after birth.

Hayes said that she had had her baby wrapped in plastic and buried on the farm in secret. The baby from the farm matched Hayes’s blood type, but baby John from the beach did not.

The Kerry Babies Tribunal was later critical of the Gardaí’s investigation. It also suggested that Hayes had participated in her baby’s death, which she denied.

All charges against Hayes and her family were eventually dropped by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The parents and killer of baby John have never been found.

Related Links:

Kerry Babies: Community in shock after man and woman arrested

Mother of ‘Baby John’ urged to come forward by Gardaí

Remains of ‘Baby John’ exhumed by Gardaí in Kerry