It's feared rain may have washed away crucial evidence after the discovery of a newborn baby in South County Dublin yesterday.

It's believed the mother of the little girl had given birth just hours before she was found.

The infant was uncovered by a passer-by after she had been wrapped in a plastic bag and left on an isolated road in the Steelstown area of Rathcoole.

Gardaí immediately sealed off the site for a forensic exam, but it's thought heavy rainfall will make it difficult to collect any genetic evidence.

Concern is mounting today for the mother, with detectives asking her to come forward for medical help.