THE WOMAN wrongly accused of murdering a baby more than 35 years ago has received an apology from the Garda commissioner and the Republic's justice minister.
Joanne Hayes and her siblings have also received declarations that all findings of wrongdoing made against them by the Kerry Babies Tribunal were unfounded and incorrect.
The apology is part of a settlement of a case for damages brought by Ms Hayes, her sister Kathleen and brothers Michael and Edmund following their arrest by gardaí in May 1984.
The Hayes family members were arrested after the body of a baby was found on White Strand Beach near Cahersiveen in Co Kerry.
Later named Baby John, the infant had been stabbed 28 times. No one has ever been charged with the murder.
Conleth Bradley SC, for the state, said he had been asked by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and Justice Minister Helen McEntee to express "their deep and sincere regret for the truly appalling hurt and distress caused to Ms Hayes and family".
He said it was genuinely hoped that the full resolution of the proceedings brings them some long deserved comfort.
Their action for damages against the Garda Commissioner, the Minister for Justice, Ireland and the Attorney General, were struck out and no details of any financial settlement were aired in court.
As part of the settlement, the family also secured declarations from the court that all findings of wrongdoing made against them by the Kerry Babies Tribunal were unfounded and incorrect.
The court also made a declaration that their questioning, arrest, charge and prosecution on dates between April and October 1984 were unfounded and in breach of their constitutional rights.
Miss Hayes, who was 25 at the time, lived in Abbeydorney almost 75km from where the baby was found. She had recently given birth to a baby who was stillborn or died soon after birth from natural causes and was buried on her farm.
She and members of her family were arrested and the court was told today that Joanne Hayes had begged the gardaí to search her farm for the body of her own baby, Shane, but they refused.
