Court reports mentioning Abbeydorney, Kerry

2020-12-18 · Kerry

'Dark chapter' brought to close as State apologises to Joanne Hayes and family

The High Court heard the State's apology to Joanne Hayes and her family regarding the Kerry Babies case, concluding a settlement of damages actions. Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds described the events as a "travesty" and a "dark chapter" in Irish history. The damages actions against the Garda Commissioner, the Minister for Justice, Ireland, and the Attorney General were struck out, while proceedings against the DPP were discontinued. The court issued declarations that all tribunal findings of wrongdoing against the family were unfounded and incorrect. It further declared that the family's questioning, arrest, charge, and prosecution between April and October 1984 were unfounded and breached their constitutional rights. A separate damages claim by Yvonne McGuckin was also settled and struck out. The court noted that the family's arrest, interrogation, detention, and charge were improper after a May 1984 blood test confirmed Ms Hayes was not the mother of baby John. The State expressed deep regret for the hurt caused, reiterating a 2018 apology. The declarations will be permanently attached to the tribunal report in the Oireachtas Library to ensure the accuracy of the public record. The family stated the resolution vindicates their good names after more than 35 years.

2020-12-09 · Kerry

Joanne Hayes seeks to void findings of Kerry Babies tribunal

Joanne Hayes, who was wrongly accused of murdering an infant in 1984, seeks a High Court declaration that all findings of wrongdoing against her and her siblings by the Kerry Babies Tribunal were unfounded and incorrect. The family was arrested after a newborn with stab wounds was found in Cahersiveen. Hayes was accused of being the mother of the child, baby John, and of murdering him, but a blood test later proved she was not the mother. The charges were dropped in October 1984. Hayes claims the Gardaí forced her and her family into false confessions, which they later withdrew. The Tribunal, led by Justice Kevin Lynch, made numerous unsubstantiated findings, including allegations of assault and lying, and was alleged to have shown bias by allowing inappropriate statements about Hayes' character and private health. Hayes and her siblings now seek declarations that the investigation, arrest, charge and Tribunal findings breached her constitutional rights.