Ireland Crime

Reports that Gardaí have submitted the investigation file to the DPP, and provides background on the 2023 arrests, the 2021 exhumation, the 2018 reopening by the Serious Crime Review Team, and the history of the Kerry babies scandal including the wrongful arrest of Joanne Hayes.

Solicitor Padraig O'Connell says the two suspects are 'totally traumatised' and have chosen not to return to their home; DNA samples were given voluntarily during detention; DPP decision could take six months to a year.

Commissioner publicly defends the arrests and the manner of the interviews; couple released without charge pending DNA analysis; solicitor denies any involvement and calls the evidence insufficient.

A solicitor has raised questions about the validity of the arrests made in the Baby John murder case.

Solicitor Padraig O'Connell stated the couple are 'totally innocent' and 'there is no case to meet.' The couple were released without charge from Castleisland Garda station late Thursday/early Friday. The solicitor said the couple provided DNA samples voluntarily after their arrest and is awaiting results. He said the couple were 'shell-shocked' and have never been in a Garda station before. No civil case against gardai is being considered at this stage.

Reports the release without charge of the man in his 60s and woman in her 50s, their solicitor's comments on presumption of innocence, and confirmation that a file will be prepared for the DPP.

Provides the solicitor's account of how the couple first learned of the Garda interest (a knock on the door with a warrant), confirms they were never questioned during the investigation, and notes their release without charge with a file to be prepared for the DPP. Also includes commentary from feminist campaigner Ailbhe Smyth on 1980s Ireland and references to the wrongful arrest of Joanne Hayes in 1984.

Reports the release of both suspects without charge (man in his 60s released early Saturday 26 March; woman in her 50s released from Castleisland Garda Station at 7.30pm Friday) and confirms a file will be prepared for the DPP. Provides details on the detention periods and the ongoing investigation since 2018.

Reports the release without charge of the man and woman arrested on 22 March 2023, their solicitor's statement that they protested their innocence, and that a file will be prepared for the DPP.

Reports the woman's release without charge at 7.30pm on 24 March 2023, the man's continued detention, the custody timing details, and the expectation that a file will be prepared for the DPP. Confirms gardai are investigating whether DNA could establish Baby John's mother.

Reports the arrest of a man in his 60s and a woman in her 50s on 23 March 2023, their detention at Castleisland Garda station, details of the ongoing investigation since 2018 including over 560 lines of enquiry, and background on the 1984 case including the wrongful accusation of Joanne Hayes.

Comprehensive timeline covering the full history of the Kerry Babies case from 1984 to the March 2023 arrests, including the Kerry Babies Tribunal, the 2017 DNA exclusion of Joanne Hayes, the 2018 state apologies, the 2020 court declarations and €2.5m damages, and the 2021 exhumation for DNA sampling.

Reports the arrest of two unnamed suspects (a man in his 60s and a woman in her 50s) on 23 March 2023, their detention at Listowel and Castleisland Garda Stations under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, and the plan to compare their DNA with post-mortem samples. Also provides background on the 2018 reopening of the case, the exhumation of remains, and Supt Flor Murphy's appeal for public information.

Reports the arrest of a man in his 60s and a woman in her 50s on suspicion of murder following a series of searches in rural Kerry. Provides background on the 1984 investigation, the wrongful accusation of Joanne Hayes, and the 2020 state apology and €2.5 million settlement to her.

Reports the arrest of two suspects on 23 March 2023, details of the investigation since 2018 (hundreds interviewed, over 560 lines of inquiry), and Superintendent Flor Murphy's public appeal for information.