Ireland Named in reporting
Joanne Hayes
Born between March 1997 and March 1998, from the ages reported. 8 reports across 2 cases, 14 Sep 2021 to 5 Apr 2026
Key facts
from every report naming them- Named as
- Suspect
- Born
- Between March 1997 and March 1998, from the ages reported
- Offences
- Murder
- Where
- Co. Kerry
- Reporting
- 8 reports, 14 Sep 2021 to 5 Apr 2026
- Outlets
- irishmirror.ie, corkbeo.ie, irishtimes.com, extra.ie
Photographs
as published, with the outlet's credit
Images are shown from the outlet that published them and link back to the article. Copyright stays with the credited photographer or agency.
Cases
latest first- File submitted to DPP in Kerry baby murder case Murder · Co. Kerry
A baby boy, known as Baby John, was found with 28 stab wounds in a bag on White Strand Beach in Caherciveen, Co Kerry, on 14 April 1984. In 1984, Joanne Hayes was wrongly arrested and accused of the murder, but all charges were dropped later that year. A fresh investigation was opened in 2018 after a Garda apology, and in 2021 the baby's remains were exhumed for DNA testing. In March 2023, a man in his 60s and a woman in her 50s were arrested on suspicion of murder and both were released without charge. In April 2026, gardaí submitted their investigation file to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Arrested, 1 Mar 2023Suspect · 5 reports - Couple arrested over 1984 murder of Baby John in Kerry Murder · Co. Kerry
A five-day-old baby known as Baby John was found with 28 stab wounds on White Strand beach in Caherciveen, Co. Kerry, on 14 April 1984. After a fresh investigation began in 2018 following a Garda apology to wrongly suspected Joanne Hayes, the baby's remains were exhumed in September 2021 for DNA testing. In March 2023, a man in his 60s and a woman in her 50s were arrested on suspicion of murder after DNA confirmed they are the baby's parents. Both were released without charge, and a file is to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Arrested, 1 Mar 2023Suspect · 3 reports
Timeline
every report naming Joanne Hayes, newest firstEach entry shows how that report described them.
- 5 Apr2026Gardaí submit file to DPP after 'extensive' investigation into Kerry babies casesuspect, Joanne Hayes, female, named, irish (judged from name)Joanne Hayes
- 24 Mar2023Search for answers on Kerry Babies murder will focus on small areasuspect, Joanne Hayes, female, named at arrest, irish (judged from name)Joanne Hayes
- 23 Mar2023Kerry babies timeline: Two arrested almost 40 years after death of ‘Baby John’suspect, Joanne Hayes, 25, female, named at arrest, irish (judged from name)Joanne Hayes
- 23 Mar2023Man and woman arrested in Kerry Babies murder probesuspect, Joanne Hayes, female, named at arrest, irish (judged from name)Joanne Hayes
- 15 Sep2021Kerry Babies: Garda appeals for mother of ‘Baby John’ to come forwardsuspect, Joanne Hayes, female, named, irish (judged from name)Joanne Hayes
- 15 Sep2021New hope as DNA could crack Kerry Babies murder - Extra.iesuspect, Joanne Hayes, female, named, irish (judged from name)Joanne Hayes
- 14 Sep2021Remains of baby found dead on Kerry beach in 1984 exhumed by gardaísuspect, Joanne Hayes, female, named, irish (judged from name)Joanne Hayes
- 14 Sep2021Gardai exhume body of Kerry Baby as investigation in to 1984 killing continuessuspect, Joanne Hayes, female, named, irish (judged from name)Joanne Hayes
Matched on the name as printed, ignoring quoted nicknames, and split by the ages reported. Two people who share a name and age would appear together here.