Repercussions
The case raised serious questions about the culture of the Garda Síochána, and the treatment of unmarried mothers in Irish society. Journalist Nell McCafferty's book about the case was titled A Woman to Blame. Joanne Hayes co-wrote a book with John Barrett about the episode called My Story. Four gardaí on the case took legal action against the authors and publishers of the book, as well as shops that sold it. They received out-of-court settlements totalling over €127,000.
In the aftermath of the case the murder squad was disbanded, and the four gardaí assigned to desk duties, in what was seen as a demotion. In 2004, Joanne Hayes offered to undergo DNA testing to establish that she was not the mother of the baby on the beach. However, one of the officers on the case, Gerry O'Carroll, has also sought such tests, saying that he believes the tests will prove the superfecundation theory correct. This testing has apparently not yet been carried out.
The parents of the baby on the beach and his murderer have never been identified.
Read more about this topic: Kerry Babies Tribunal