Baby Alannah headstone erected one year after recycling plant discovery
A headstone has been erected on the grave of a newborn baby who was found in a recycling plant last year.
Alannah was discovered by workers sorting materials at the Greenstar facility in the Fassaroe area of Bray, Co Wicklow, on May 4 last year.
She had not suffered any deliberate harm and gardai are marking the anniversary with a renewed appeal to find the baby girl's mother.
It is believed Alannah was found about two weeks on from being born and one possibility is she may have been a stillbirth.
The worker who made the discovery was said to have been traumatised by the experience after initially thinking the newborn was a doll.
In a mark of respect, Greenstar paid for a headstone to be erected in recent weeks in Redford cemetery in Bray where she was buried last year.
Inspector Sorcha Fitzpatrick said: "To the mother or indeed anybody who has any information or who has any knowledge, you will be dealt with in a compassionate manner.
"Any information we receive will be dealt with in the strictest of confidence.
"It's just in relation to making sure that the mother or anybody directly affected by this are receiving the necessary or appropriate support services."
Baby Alannah was caucasian and was not wrapped in blankets or other material when she was found.
Gardai followed five definite lines of inquiry following previous appeals and narrowed down the source of the household recycling the newborn was found with but have been unable to identify the mother.
A post-mortem examination was carried out and while deliberate harm has been ruled out, there is no definite cause of death.
DNA samples were taken from the baby in the hope that one day the mother or father may come forward.
A memorial Mass is being held in the Holy Redeemer Church in Bray to mark the anniversary of the discovery of Alannah.
Ms Fitzpatrick added: "It was a very traumatic incident. It did affect a lot of people, a lot of people here in the community were affected by it as well."
She appealed for anyone with information that might bring the investigation to a close to contact Bray garda station on 01-6665300 or to use the garda confidential line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
Press Association