The body of a newborn baby has been found on a beach in Ireland.

The discovery was made shortly before 10am in Balbriggan, north of Dublin. The scene has been sealed off and a technical examination has begun.

Irish police have concerns about the wellbeing of the baby’s mother and are asking her to come forward. Officers appealed for anyone with information to contact them.

The main railway line between Dublin and Belfast runs alongside the beach, which is made up of a mixture of sand and shingle coves, close to Balbriggan harbour on Ireland’s east coast.

Lorraine Clifford-Lee, a senator in Ireland’s upper house of parliament for the country’s main opposition party Fianna Fáil, said: “I’m distraught to learn of the discovery of the body of a baby on Balbriggan beach.

“I’d appeal for the mother to come forward for medical treatment. You’ll be treated with compassion.”