Thursday 5 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 29613Death (unexplained) · Co. Dublin

Stillborn baby death on Balbriggan beach under investigation

A stillborn baby girl named Belle was found covered in sand on Bell's Beach, Balbriggan, north County Dublin, in December 2019. The infant had been on the beach for a couple of days before being discovered by a dog out walking with its owner. Gardaí have a full DNA profile from a postmortem but have not identified the mother. The investigation remains open three years later, with gardaí appealing for the mother to come forward. The only current route to identifying her is a DNA match if she commits a future offence.

  1. Reported16 Oct
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A stillborn baby girl was found covered in sand on Bell's Beach, Balbriggan, north County Dublin.
  • The infant had been on the beach for a couple of days before being discovered by a dog out walking with its owner.
When
The baby was born in December 2019.
Investigation
  • Gardaí have a full DNA profile of the child following a postmortem.
  • Gardaí are still trying to trace the mother three years after the discovery.
  • The only way to find the mother at this stage is if she commits a crime and her DNA is entered into the system.
  • The investigation is described as very much open and gardaí welcome any new leads.
Other details
The baby has been buried but her remains can be exhumed at any time.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA stillborn infant was found covered in sand on a strand outside Balbriggan, north County Dublin. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatThe baby had been on the beach for a couple of days before being discovered. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatThe baby was discovered by a dog out walking with its owner. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whenThe baby was born almost three years before the article, in December 2019. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí have a full DNA profile of the child following a postmortem. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are still trying to trace the mother three years after the discovery. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationThe only way to find the mother at this stage is if she commits a crime and her DNA is entered into the system. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationThe investigation is described as very much open and gardaí welcome any new leads. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe baby has been buried but her remains can be exhumed at any time. (dublinlive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Oct2021
    Reporteddublinlive.ie, first report
    Gardai still looking for mum of Christmas baby found dead on Balbriggan beach

    Follow-up report from October 2021 confirming the investigation into the stillborn baby found on Bell's Beach in December 2019 remains open, with gardaí appealing for the mother to come forward and noting the only current route to identifying her is a DNA match if she commits a future offence.

    victim, Belle, femaleBellesuspect, female