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Girl found outside GPO may be a victim of sex trafficking

The young teenager is now in the care of the HSE as gardaí search for clues to her identity.

Updated 22:00

A YOUNG TEENAGER who was found in a distressed state outside the GPO less than 10 days ago has been taken into the care of the Health Service Executive as gardaí probe a theory that she was trafficked into the country.

In a statement issued this afternoon, a HSE spokesperson advised that the agency was working with gardaí to “ensure the welfare and protection of a child found last week in Dublin city centre”.

Under the Child Care Act 1991, the HSE has a wide range of statutory obligations for the protection and welfare of children.  Joint working between the HSE Children and Family Services and An Garda Síochána under Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children forms an integral part of the child protection and welfare service.

“The HSE can not comment on a child who is currently in the care of the HSE,” it added.

The Irish Daily Star reported this morning that the girl did not speak for several days after being discovered.

However, she did draw pictures which apparently depicted scenes of a sexual nature, writes Michael O’Toole.

It is understood the girl is not Irish and is aged between 14 and 16. Gardaí are said to be extremely concerned about the teenager and are searching for clues to her identity.

First published 13.07.

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    Mute Mark
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    Aug 23rd 2012, 4:27 PM

    This kind of story is like putting a satellite image over the Sahara desert and saying its going to be warm and dry.

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    Mute Wes Freeman
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    Aug 23rd 2012, 3:56 PM

    rain on the way?! you don’t say :D

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    Mute Joan Ruud Donnellan-Wijnen
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    Aug 23rd 2012, 4:24 PM

    @ Denise.. “if only it was …’A little’!!!!

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    Mute Warren Kennedy
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    Aug 23rd 2012, 5:08 PM

    Think I’m having a little déjà vu here…

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    Mute Denise Friary
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    Aug 23rd 2012, 4:03 PM

    The weather in Ireland is OK. A little rain does no harm.

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    Mute Eric De Red
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    Aug 23rd 2012, 9:00 PM

    I don’t know why we have met office. My horoscope is more accurate.

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    Mute Val Kearney
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    Aug 23rd 2012, 10:09 PM

    I was just in the Czech Republic at a festival for 7 days and it “rained” once in Prague. I say rained, but it was literally a couple of drops. Looked around the street and all these Czech people were looking up wondering what the hell was happening. Some dose coming home.

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    Mute Mark Larson
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    Aug 24th 2012, 12:56 AM

    The Czech Republic can keep the winters they have every year, those 2 harsh winters Ireland got a couple of years back is the norm for them every winter and sometimes even worse. No thanks.

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    Mute Danny McLaughlin
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    Aug 23rd 2012, 6:35 PM

    Here on Orkney, we have had 32mm of rain this month, 16mm between 12 midnight and 8am this morning.
    Data collected by our on site weather station.
    We missed the deluge at home 2 weeks ago, but we’re expecting more on Saturday.

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    Mute Martina Bennett Daly
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    Aug 24th 2012, 12:24 AM

    Shocker

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