Gardaí have renewed their appeal for the mother of a newborn baby girl who was found in a plastic bag on an isolated road in Dublin yesterday to come forward.

A passer-by discovered the infant on the Steelstown Road in Rathcoole in South County Dublin yesterday at around 3:30pm.

The child was taken to Tallaght Hospital, where she is now in a stable condition under the care of hospital staff.

Gardai have confirmed that the baby was a newborn. They have revealed that she had been fed and was born at least 24 to 36 hours prior to her discovery.

Superintendent Brendan Connolly of Clondalkin Garda station issued a statement:

"Gardaí are concerned for the welfare of the mother of this child and are appealing for her to seek immediate medical treatment and to contact Gardaí who are anxious to reunite her with her baby.

"Gardai will deal with this matter with the utmost sensitivity and care for both mother and child.”

It is feared rain may have washed away some crucial evidence from the scene of the discovery.

Anyone with information regarding the mother and/or the newborn child or who may have been in the vicinity of Steelestown Road yesterday afternoon prior to 3.30pm are urged to contact Gardaí at Clondalkin on 01 6667600, or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station. 

Originally posted at 14.40