Bodies of woman and newborn baby found at property in Co Tipperary

Sarah Slater

The bodies of a woman and a female newborn baby have been discovered at a domestic residence in Co Tipperary.

Gardaí and emergency services are currently at the scene of an incident in Carrick-on-Suir after the alarm was raised by a man known to the woman at around 2 pm when he went to a residence in a housing estate in the Knocknaconnery area of the town.

Multiple units of the gardaí, Fire Services and a number of ambulances were dispatched to the scene.

It is understood that the woman and baby may have died during an unsupervised home birth.

Gardaí have preserved the scene pending the arrival of the state pathologist and are investigating all the circumstances behind the incident.

“An open mind” is being followed in the case by gardaí, and they are following several lines of inquiry but it is understood officers are treating the matter as a “personal tragedy”.

Gardaí are establishing an incident room and will appoint a family liaison officer.

They are also seeking to contact relatives and will speak to neighbours and family members in connection with the investigation.

Their bodies are expected to be removed to University Hospital Waterford, where post-mortem examinations will be carried out in due course.

In a statement, gardaí said: “At this early stage and due to the potential evolving circumstances of the incident, no further information is available at this time.”