The Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald has made a personal appeal to the mother of the baby found abandoned in Dublin last Friday.
One week since little Maria was discovered wrapped in a blanket and a plastic bag on a lay-by in Rathcoole, Gardaí are still searching for clues as to her identity.
“I would like to say to the mother in that situation that our main concern is her welfare and I would ask her to get some help,” said Minister Fitzgerald.
“The gardaí are concerned about her welfare, I’m concerned about her welfare. Anybody who finds themselves in a situation like that where the baby is found in those circumstances, clearly that has to be a very traumatic situation for the mother as well.
“I would appeal to her to come forward and get help.”
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has been granted an interim care order for the baby girl and she continues to be cared for at the Coombe Hospital.