Ireland Case No. 3399Murder · Co. Kerry · 14 Apr 1984
Gardaí submit file to DPP after extensive investigation into 1984 Kerry babies murder
Gardaí have submitted an investigation file to the DPP following an extensive probe into the 1984 murder of a five-day-old baby boy, known as Baby John, whose body was found with 28 stab wounds on White Strand, Caherciveen, Co Kerry. A man in his 60s and a woman in her 50s were arrested in March 2023 but released without charge.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports17 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe baby had been stabbed 28 times and suffered severe injuries to his neck and spine. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe baby was murdered five days after birth. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatShane died of natural causes and was buried on the farmland. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe body of a male infant was found at White Strand, Caherciveen, on 14 April 1984. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe remains were taken to the morgue at University Hospital Kerry, Tralee, for examination. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereJoanne Hayes was living in Abbeydorney, around 80 kms away, at the time of the 1984 investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenJoanne Hayes gave birth to a baby boy named Shane on 13 April 1984 on the family farm. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationIn March 2023, gardai arrested a man and woman on suspicion of the murder. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe man in his 60s and the woman in her 50s were both released without charge. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationIn 2021, gardai exhumed the remains of Baby John from Holy Cross Cemetery in Cahersiveen. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationIn 2018, the Garda Serious Crime Review Team took a fresh look at the case. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationJoanne Hayes was arrested and wrongly accused of being the mother of Baby John. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationAn investigation file has been submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe investigation was carried out by Kerry Division supported by the Garda Serious Crime Review Team. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe garda case has remained open for over 40 years. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAll charges against Joanne Hayes were dropped later in 1984. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherIn 2020, Joanne Hayes received a formal apology from the State and a settlement of €2.5 million. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Apr2026Gardaí submit file to DPP after 'extensive' investigation into Kerry babies case
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.
victim, 0, malesuspect, 60s, malesuspect, 50s, femalesuspect, Joanne Hayes, female, named, irish (judged from name)Joanne Hayes