File 20 - Janice St Clair

35pp

Tragic case involving woman suffering from post-natal depression who had miscarried, subsequently kidnapping a male child from Holles Street hospital in Dublin and taking the child from Ireland to England by boat along with woman's 10-year-old daughter. The woman realised she needed to give the child back while on the boat but continued to England to avoid her daughter being arrested with her. On landing she left baby on a train with note and rang police. Baby was found and St. Clair was arrested. Because she had had previous miscarriages, and had been sterilised, the police officer in charge of case did not believe she had been recently pregnant and therefore suffering from postpartum depression. Her free legal aid did not mention she had called the police to say she had left the baby on the train so that he was found soon after, which resulted in Judge Robert O'hUadhaigh taking case more seriously. She was given 9-month sentence, 31/07/1981. She was freed following appeal, 08/10/1981. Judge Martin in appeal stated original sentence was correct based on evidence presented but that original judge did not have benefit of medical evidence which led to Martin granting St. Clair benefit of Probation Act, which freed her.

Material in this file includes typed questions for Dr Judith Remet, Psychiatrist, with notation, and some information on Remet; handwritten notes on questions for examination of St. Clair, and typed answers with notation; copy of District Court judgement 31/07/1981 which sentenced St. Clair to 9 months in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin; handwritten notes (by Junior Counsel) and photocopies of other relevant cases used in background research [1981]; magazine "Status" article "the Quality of Mercy" relating to the case, 09/1981; cutting on result of appeal "Baby snatch woman freed", 09/10/1981; correspondence between Brian Gallagher, solicitor and Mary Robinson (MR) relating to fees 14/10/1981-18/08/1982.

[Archivist's note: This case is both contemporary and sensitive in nature and material is therefore partially restricted. Please consult archivist to enquire about access to restricted material.]

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02/02/2023
17/07/2025