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A powerful new RTÉ documentary now available on the RTE Player will tell the remarkable story of three siblings who were abandoned as newborns in the 1960s and discovered decades later through DNA technology that they share the same parents. For some time it also has been suggested that there might have been a fourth baby with a Newry connection and it's hoped that the programme could possibly encourage new information.
The Phone Box Babies explores the incredible journey of David McBride, John Dowling, and Helen Ward - three individuals who were left as babies in different locations across Ireland only to find each other as adults through modern genetic testing.
The documentary traces how each baby was discovered by chance - David in a Belfast car in 1962, John in a Drogheda phone box in 1965, and Helen in a Dundalk phone box in 1968. All three were subsequently adopted and raised in separate parts of Ireland, unaware of each other's existence.
Their extraordinary reunion began in 2020 when David and Helen discovered their sibling connection through DNA technology, leading to their emotional meeting on ITV's Long Lost Family. The discovery of John as their third full sibling followed, and the trio now believes a fourth sibling may still be out there.
The documentary delves into the complex family history behind their abandonment, revealing a decades-long affair between their mother - a young Catholic woman from the Republic of Ireland - and a married Protestant man from the north who was 17 years her senior and already had 14 children. This relationship, which began in the 1940s, produced David, John, and Helen before each was given up for adoption.
Speaking about the documentary, Helen Ward said: "This documentary has opened up the lines of communication about our biological parents, with people willing to share their stories. I hope the documentary fosters understanding and empathy, especially about what it's like to have to question your roots. I hope it encourages people to be open and receptive to helping others with similar experiences. The longing for connection with family is valid and deeply human."
The film follows the siblings as they navigate the emotional complexity of uncovering their family's buried secrets while both biological parents are now deceased. Their search for answers is supported by newly discovered half-siblings and family friends, including snooker champion Ken Doherty, as they piece together a story that reflects the social realities of mid-20th century Ireland.
Beyond the personal journey, the documentary offers a window into Ireland's past, examining the circumstances that led to children being abandoned and the societal pressures that shaped these difficult decisions.
Watch it here www.rte.ie
