Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

RT presents new documentary on the origin stories of three abandoned babies in 1960s Ireland

26/06/2025

This July, RT presents The Phone Box Babies, a documentary revealing new insights into the lives and identities of three newborn babies abandoned in the 1960s in different parts of Ireland. The babies were discovered by random passersby in phone boxes, and in a car, without any identifying information or clue to their origins.

This new documentary airing on RT One and RT Player uncovers details about the babies' parents, where they came from, and why they were given up. Fifty years later, as adults, they discover their connection to each other and embark on an emotional journey to uncover their identities. David McBride, born in 1962, was left in a car in a Belfast driveway. John Dowling, born in 1965, was found in a Drogheda phone box. Helen Ward, born in 1968, was discovered in a Dundalk phone box. Each was adopted and raised in different parts of Ireland.

In 2020, David and Helen discovered they were brother and sister through DNA technology and were reunited on the ITV series Long Lost Family. To their shock and joy, they subsequently found John, a third full sibling. They believe there is a fourth sibling out there and are hoping this documentary will encourage that person to get in touch.

United in their desire to uncover more of the truth about their family and the circumstances surrounding their parents' decision to abandon them, the documentary follows the siblings as they uncover untold stories that reflect the Ireland of the past. Their mother was a young Catholic woman from the Republic of Ireland who, in the 1940s, began a affair with a married Protestant man from Northern Ireland, who was 17 years her senior and had 14 children of his own. This affair endured for decades and, in that time, David, John, and Helen were born - and given up.

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.

With both biological parents now deceased, the siblings confront painful truths about their parents' complex relationship and the impact of this abandonment on their own lives. They face a challenging journey in their quest for answers, but with the support of newly discovered half-siblings and family friends (including snooker legend Ken Doherty), they remain determined to unearth the buried secrets of their family's past, in the hope that it will bring them closer together.

The Phone Box Babies airs on RT One and RT Player on Wednesday 2 July at 9:35pm

-Ends-

Date: 26 June 2025

For more information: Kate Smyth, RT Communications, kate.smyth@rte.ie

Image link: https://we.tl/t-7dbmzmCScV
LINK: https://about.rte.ie/2025/06/26/rte-presents-new-documentary-on-the-or...
See more stories from rte

More from RTE

25/08/2025

Centra announced as proud food sponsor of The Traitors Ireland

RT Commercial has today announced Centra as proud food sponsor of The Traitors Ireland, coming to RT One and RT Player on August 31. The partnership will be...

22/08/2025

Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 on RT

Join Jacqui Hurley as she leads RT 's television coverage of the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, with reporting from the Irish camp by Clare MacNamara. Co...

21/08/2025

COMING SOON TO RT More, More, More with Your Public Service Media

RT today announces its exciting upcoming slate of video content, taking viewers from Autumn 2025 to Spring 2026 across RT One, RT 2 and RT Player. From an un...

20/08/2025

Over half a million viewers watched as Katelyn Cummins crowned 2025 International Rose of Tralee

A record high of 202,000 watched on RT Player from 102 countries including Unit...

19/08/2025

Vodafone Ireland announced as official broadcast sponsor of RT's coverage of the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025

RT Commercial has today announced Vodafone Ireland as the official broadcast sp...

18/08/2025

Strauss 200, swing, Culture Night, classical & more RT Concert Orchestra September October 2025

Cinematic classics in Waterford (6 September), classical in Drogheda (12 Septemb...

11/08/2025

Ready to play? Broadcast date for The Traitors Ireland revealed

The game of betrayal has come to Ireland and the walls of Slane Castle have secrets to tell Sunday, August 31 RT One and RT Player The Traitors Ireland | ...

08/08/2025

RT series lifts the veil on life with the nuns of Kylemore Abbey

The Hills Are Alive: A Year at Kylemore Abbey starts Sunday at 6.30pm on RT One and RT Player The Hills Are Alive: A Year at Kylemore Abbey, a new RT obser...

08/08/2025

RT broadcaster Kieran Hanrahan to retire after 30 years of Cil House

Kieran's last C il House will be live from Fleadh Cheoil na h ireann this Saturday August 9 After three decades at the helm of RT Radio 1's C il Hou...

07/08/2025

Mark Simpson appointed as Managing Editor, RT Radio 1

RT has today announced the appointment of Mark Simpson to the role of Managing Editor, RT Radio 1. Reporting to the Head of RT Radio 1, Tara Campbell, Mark ...

06/08/2025

RT unmasks The Traitors Ireland Uncloaked

Hosted by comedian Kevin McGahern, the companion show will spill the cloak-and-dagger secrets from The Traitors Ireland Trust no one except maybe the host G...

01/08/2025

RT Supporting the Arts | What's on this August

This August, RT is delighted to support National Heritage Week, Waterford Walls, Kilkenny Arts Festival and 23 other arts and cultural events across the countr...

31/07/2025

Sen Rocks

It is with profound sadness that RT announces the death of radio presenter and actor Se n Rocks. Se n died last night following a brief illness at the age of 6...

28/07/2025

All Ireland Football Final draws a peak of over one million TV viewers to RT One & 378,000 streams on RT Player

Kerry's dominant All Ireland Football Final display draws a peak of over one...

28/07/2025

All Ireland Football Final draws a peak of over one million TV viewers & 378,000 streams on RT Player

Kerry's dominant All Ireland Football Final display draws a peak of over one...

23/07/2025

RT kicks off new documentary series Football Families, featuring some of Ireland's most talented young players

This series highlights some of Shelbourne Football Club's finest players and...

22/07/2025

RT publishes Register of External Activities Q1/2025 (statistical summary)

RT Register of External Activities Q1/2025 RT is today publishing a statistical summary from the Register of External Activities for the first quarter of 20...

22/07/2025

Tipperary's epic second half All Ireland Hurling Final comeback draws over one million viewers to RT2

Tipperary's epic second half All Ireland Hurling Final comeback draws over o...

22/07/2025

RT Announces Petula Martyn as new Mid West Correspondent

RT News is pleased to announce the appointment of journalist, Petula Martyn, as Mid West Correspondent. Petula will be reporting and providing analysis across ...

22/07/2025

Very announced as official show sponsor ofThe Traitors Ireland

Catherine O'Toole, Head of Marketing at Very said: The Traitors is a show that has become a global phenomenon, a cultural moment that sparks conversation, ...

18/07/2025

Hurling Fans Flock Together for a Night of Craic agus Ceol on RT's Up For The Match this Saturday night

Up for the Match brings the fun, the passion-and a bit of Riverdance- tomorrow n...

17/07/2025

Tune into summer on RT Radio 1 | A season of stories, sounds, and something for everyone

The summer is here and RT Radio 1 has unveiled a lively seasonal lineup, packed...

15/07/2025

All Ireland Football semi-finals and Tailteann Cup Final draw large audiences to RT

Peak audiences of over half a million tune into both Kerry v Tyrone and Donegal ...

14/07/2025

RT Launches New Look Weather Forecasts

Enhancing Public Service Broadcasting with Innovation, Accuracy & Sustainability New regional detail and local towns featured...

07/07/2025

RT Announces Mark Bignell as new Commissioning Editor for Comedy

RT has announced that Mark Bignell has been appointed Commissioning Editor for Comedy following a public competition. This senior editorial position will drive...

04/07/2025

Join RT Radio 1 for The Pitch, a new series exploring the heart of Ireland's GAA Clubs

The Pitch comes to RT Radio 1 airwaves this Sunday at 7pm. The Pitch is a brand...

01/07/2025

Teresa Smith Announced as Commissioning Editor for Factual Entertainment

RT has announced that Teresa Smith has been appointed Commissioning Editor with responsibility for Factual Entertainment following a public competition. This s...

01/07/2025

RT is Supporting 26 Arts and Cultural Events across Ireland this July

This July, RT is delighted to support Galway International Arts Festival, Earagail Arts Festival in Donegal, Belfast TradFest and 23 other arts and cultural ev...

30/06/2025

Yellowstone origin story 1923 starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren comes to RT One and RT Player

All 8 episodes of Season 1 of 1923 will be available on RT Player from Tuesday ...

26/06/2025

RT'S FINDING SAMANTHA TRUE-CRIME PODCAST SERIES OPTIONED AS A TV EXCLUSIVE

Keeper Pictures, the Dublin-based scripted production company whose credits include The Gone and Striking Out, has optioned the exclusive TV adaptation rights t...

26/06/2025

RT presents new documentary on the origin stories of three abandoned babies in 1960s Ireland

This July, RT presents The Phone Box Babies, a documentary revealing new insigh...

25/06/2025

Upfront with Katie Hannon

RT has confirmed its Monday night television series, Upfront with Katie Hannon has come to an end and will not be returning in September following three season...

24/06/2025

RT launches over 90 days of national and international Sport

Women's Euros, Women's Rugby World Cup, European Hockey Championships, GAA Championships, World Athletics Championships, Irish Open, Horse Racing and mu...

24/06/2025

RT's Summer Slate of Documentaries Showcases Unique Irish Stories and Explores Irish Life

RT has today announced details of its summer line-up of home-grown documentarie...

19/06/2025

Award winning comedy The Dry begins filming its final instalment for RT and ITVX

RT and ITV have today announced that filming is underway in Dublin on the third and final series of Element Pictures' award-winning 8 30' comedy drama ...

18/06/2025

RT AND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IRELAND ANNOUNCE RT TOY SHOW APPEAL GRANT AWARDS 2025

To date the Toy Show Appeal has raised over 26 million since its inception in 2...

16/06/2025

Run With Ray in Cork, Waterford, Kilkenny, Drogheda and Dublin as The Ray D'Arcy Show hits the road

Run with Ray is back! RT Radio 1's The Ray D'Arcy Show hits the road th...

13/06/2025

RT Seeks Expressions of Interest for on-air presenting roles on RT Radio 1 and RT News & Current Affairs Output

In fulfilment of a recommendation by the Government's Expert Advisory Commit...

11/06/2025

Mercedes-Benz Ireland announced as the Car Partner of The Traitors Ireland

RT Commercial has today announced Mercedes-Benz Ireland as the car partner of The Traitors Ireland, coming to RT One and RT Player in the Autumn. Mercedes-B...

10/06/2025

Family of Resident featured in RT Investigates Nursing Home Documentary Speak Publicly for the First Time

Family described their shock and distress at seeing footage of their father bein...

06/06/2025

New RT series An Ghig Mhr pairs Irish musicians with up-and-coming talent

Monday 9 June, 8pm on RT One and RT Player Hip hop duo Tebi Rex, K la's R n n Snodaigh, John Spillane and Eve Belle among mentors Promo: An Ghig Mh ...

05/06/2025

New Drama Tall Tales & Murder commissioned for two series by RT and BBC

Stuart Carolan and Chris Addison team up on darkly comedic drama starring Ella Lily Hyland, Aidan Gillen, Phillipa Dunne and Packy Lee From top left to right: ...

04/06/2025

RT Investigates reveals unsafe care and undignified treatment inside Ireland's Nursing Homes

Experts condemn leading private nursing home care provided referring to instance...

04/06/2025

RT Investigates undercover documentary reveals unsafe care and undignified treatment inside Ireland's Nursing Homes

Experts condemn leading private nursing home care provided referring to instance...

03/06/2025

RT is Supporting 20 Arts and Cultural Events this June

This June, RT is delighted to support 20 arts and cultural events all over Ireland spanning art, theatre, film, writing and literature, multiple genres of musi...

03/06/2025

RT announces the appointment of David Crean as Head of Drama

RT is pleased to announce the appointment of David Crean as Head of Drama, following an external competition. After an earlier career as a director and a prod...

02/06/2025

RT Commercial has announced laya healthcare as the new sponsor of 2FM Breakfast with Carl, Roz & Aisling

RT Commercial has announced laya healthcare, as the new sponsor of 2FM Breakfas...