Funeral service for baby found at Co Wicklow recycling plant

Gardaí still keen to speak to mother of ‘Alannah’ as they are concerned for her welfare

The scene at Redford Cemetery, Greystones, Co Wicklow where the remains of a baby found in a recycling plant last week were laid to rest. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
The scene at Redford Cemetery, Greystones, Co Wicklow where the remains of a baby found in a recycling plant last week were laid to rest. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

Baby "Alannah" who was found dead at a recycling facility in Bray, Co Wicklow has been laid to rest in nearby Greystones.

Gardaí restricted traffic on the busy Bray-Greystones Road as the hearse bearing the small white coffin and white, brown and pink teddy bears made its way over Bray Head to the cemetery.

About 120 mourners many of them staff at Greenstar Recycling, gardaí and media attended the ceremony in sunshine at Redford Cemetery.

Heads were bowed as Monsignor Enda Lloyd and Rev Alan Breen said prayers and a single white dove was released during the short, multi-denominational service.

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The infant was discovered last week while a worker was sorting through recycling materials.

Gardaí said the name Alannah, which means love, was given to the child out of respect as it was felt important she be named and giver a proper burial.

The gardaí also said it was important the baby girl’s mother come forward as they are concerned for her welfare.

Speaking in advance of the service, Supt Pat Ward said gardaí were "renewing our appeal for mum or dad to come forward to seek whatever support we can give them".

Postmortem results on the baby’s remains found no signs of injury on the baby.

Tim O'Brien

Tim O'Brien

Tim O'Brien is an Irish Times journalist