Cork University Maternity Hospital has confirmed that an investigation is under way after a mother was found dead on the floor of her single room in the hospital, with her newborn baby boy underneath her.
Sources have confirmed to RTÉ News the baby, who was born at the weekend, is in a critical condition and is receiving emergency care.
The incident is being treated as a tragic accident.
A post-mortem examination on the mother, who is in her 30s, is due to be carried out later.
One line of inquiry is that the mother suffered a medical episode as she was breastfeeding the baby, which caused her to fall from her bed.
A statement issued on behalf of the South/Southwest Hospital Group confirmed that an investigation was under way "following a tragic occurrence at Cork University Maternity Hospital" yesterday morning.
The Hospital Group said: "Our priority is supporting the patient's family and therefore we will not be commenting on the individual case at this time."
