Dad of baby boy who choked on baby wipes is arrested
A DAD has been arrested over the death of his six-month-old son who was found with baby wipes lodged in his throat.
The man, aged in his late 30s, was arrested in the west of Ireland last week and questioned about endangering the child's life.
Gardai obtained the advice of three different medical experts before deciding to make the arrest.
He was later released without charge and the detailed probe into the baby's death will continue.
"This is a very tragic and complicated case. There were two people there and one of them is dead," a senior source told the Herald.
"The baby was found with a wad of baby wipes and tissue down his throat.
"The opinion of three medical experts - two in Ireland and one in England - is that the baby could not have done this to himself."
The father had already provided gardai with a statement before his arrest and it is understood that he denies any wrongdoing in the case.
He is still in a relationship with the mother of the child.
CONCERN
Suspicion in the case was first raised after a pathologist expressed concern after the initial post mortem in the case.
A file on the case is now being prepared for the DPP.
Incidents of babies being killed or seriously injured are extremely rare in Ireland.
In a separate case in Galway in late March, the Herald revealed that a man was arrested after a baby was rushed to hospital with severe head injuries which were caused as the result of a suspected assault.
The incident unfolded in the Galway city area when the baby girl, who was just six weeks old, was brought to the local regional hospital.
Because of the serious nature of her injuries, she was later transferred to Temple Street Hospital in Dublin.
She was rushed to the Dublin hospital in an ambulance which was given a garda escort.
A man aged in his early 30s was arrested by gardai and questioned about the alleged assault before being released without charge.
It is understood that the man is known to the child.
That investigation is being led by gardai based at Mill Street Garda Station in Galway city and a file has been sent to the DPP.
It is understood that the child is making a good recovery.