The body of a full-term baby girl named Noleen Murphy was discovered in the car park that then serviced the premises of Lee’s Furniture Shop at around 6.45pm on April 4th 1973.
Gardaí say this business has since ceased operating, but the car park remains between Northumberland Avenue and Anglesea Lane in Dun Laoghaire town centre.
Following the completion of a State post-mortem, gardaí attached to Dun Laoghaire Garda Station commenced a murder investigation which has remained live for close to five decades.
It is believed that baby Noleen died within 24 hours of being born.
Lines of inquiry
In 2007, an inquest into the baby's death was conducted by Dublin County Coroner’s Court, which formally identified Cynthia Owen (nee Murphy) as her mother. At the time of the baby’s death, Ms Owens’ family home was at White’s Villas in Dalkey.
Gardaí say that “all available lines of inquiry have now been exhausted” following a “sustained” Garda investigation including a review by the Serious Crime Review Team from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
With no person “brought to justice for the murder of Baby Noleen Murphy at this time,” gardaí are appealing to anyone who has information in relation to the murder to come forward.
“Gardaí continue to appeal to any person who may have previously come forward who felt they could not provide Gardaí with all the information they had in relation to this matter, to contact the investigation team again,” An Garda Síochána said.
“Gardaí continue to appeal to any person who was residing there, or the surrounding areas, at the time of this incident who may still have information to contact gardaí.”
Anyone with information which could assist the investigation should contact Dun Laoghaire Garda Station on 01 666 5000. Anyone who wishes to provide information confidentially should contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
