The Kerry Babies Case

Mathematically she could have been as young as 11.

Mathematically he could have been as old as 30.

But there is nothing to suggest that the couple were together in 1984 either.

Crazy case, I was listening to Niall Boylan last night, I'd never heard of this before.

So DNA has been taken, how long should it take for results to get back ?

Irish times have printed that woman was in her late 50s, which if she is 55yrs now, would make her at least 16yrs old at the time, probably older given they say late.

"A lawyer for the pair – a man in his 60s and a woman in her late 50s – said they strongly deny killing the baby on April 9th, 1984."

https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/2023/03/26/results-of-dna-tests-awaited-in-kerry-babies-case/

Ya true I was thinking she was early but see now she may be late

The man arrested was kept in a day longer for questioning.

This was purely because he took more breaks during questioning than the woman so his detention was extended. It doesn't mean anything in relation to his possible level of involvement or guilt.

The Times article linked earlier said the DNA was from "a sibling of the deceased Baby John". If another man or woman was involved that DNA would be from a half sibling.(assuming the DNA was from a child of both people arrested).

From the Times article;

The Gardaí believe both are Baby John's parents.

Given the age of this womans children i doubt very much she was 11 when baby john was born.

I was ten at the time, it was a huge story and a long running one due to the tribunal. You couldn't not be aware of it.

Ok yes that’s true… a full sibling would imply both parents. I just wonder if the reporting is completely accurate. Half sibling or full sibling might not be differentiated at this early stage. I’m not sure if the papers have the full story and the official Garda reports seem to be very sparse.

What puzzles me, is WHY the baby was killed- as you rightly point out, there was practically a hidden industry and support structure underwritten by the Catholic Church around giving babies up for adoption after so called “illegitimate births” - medical intervention would have been required at some point so doctors would have been involved somewhere along the line- informal “behind the scenes” arrangements to give up the baby after birth would have been readily available - I just don’t see why this baby suffered these injuries and his untimely death - I hope we can at the very least, learn something about our dark past as a society from this terrible tragedy.

The treatment of Joanne Hayes and pressure at home might have persuaded the mother to stay silent.

The longer you live with a lie the harder it is to come forward, I presume the mother was terrified of the consequences.

It still doesnt make it ok that she remained silent for 39 years - she could have came forward over the years and would have been treated compassionately if she hadnt murdered the baby. All she done was gave birth.

Joanne Hayes life was ruined because of this - she was arrested, abused by gardai, spent time in jail and then had every details of her sex life discussed publicly. She had fingers pointed at her everywhere she went. A normal life was denied to Joanne because baby Johns parents didnt come forward. To this day there are certain members of the gardai that still think Joanne was the mother! Imagine what that was like for Joanne?

The mother knew what Joanne was being put through and knew she was innocent because the case was so widely discussed by the media. Its not right that this woman/man allowed Joannes life to be ruined - there is no justification for that.

Fear doesnt justify remaining silent - the mother would have been more respected had she come forward, but she didnt. DNA potentially revealed her/their secret.

yes, but the mother could have been abused and beaten by others who didn't want the shame.

Honestly, at this stage it's all speculation. I'm interested to find out but I hope there's not unnecessary pain caused by this.

I do wonder, if charged, will the names of the accused be released? Because in cases involving children they're often not.