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Updated at 7.10pm
A TEENAGE GIRL from Meath reported missing earlier has been found safe and well, gardaí have confirmed.
The family of Rena Woods had raised the alarm after she took a bus into Dublin yesterday.
The 14-year-old sent a text to her mother from McDonalds on Jervis Street at around 2pm, but hadn’t been heard from since.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie earlier, her sister Jo said her phone was off and they were hugely concerned.
Gardaí later released a missing persons appeal.
Flyers were also circulated in Ashbourne, Dublin and on social media.
It was confirmed in a statement issued shortly before 7pm that she had been found.
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I hope she is found safe and well
Who would red thumb this?
Thanks for clearing that up, I wasn’t sure which side of the fence you stood on before that vital declaration ya numpty, everyone hopes she’s found safe you tit
Dan you are toilet paper …. wipe flush forget
God bless you Dan for saying what I’ve been thinking for months. you’ve slayed the green thumb monster.
Thankfully she is safe, I bet her family want to hit her and hug her at same time!!
Hit her? Really??
Good god why isn’t it being drilled home to kids do not meet people alone you met online. Never mind just kids adults to. Please god she is found safe and OK. Thoughts and prayers with her and her family xxx
It is. they just don’t listen or believe it will happen to them
Were you always listening to your parents when you were a teen?
I would assume from the later comment saying that her mother thought she was in Ashbourne, that the other information is something they’ve found out since and did not know at the time. I hope she’s found safe and sound. I’m dreading my kids reaching the teenage years!!
This article is to inform us that a girl is missing. It has given her details so we can know who to keep an eye out for. It is not a debate on staying safe on the internet or a debate on parenting. Some of you have posted over four times with no real relevance to finding this girl. So please just share the article and ask your friends to share the article, so hopefully this girl can be found safe and well.
Well said Dave.
Thanks Mike, It just sickens me the amount of people that comment on this like it is an extension of their own social media accounts.
Has to be parents worst nightmare, fingers crossed there’s a happy ending.
The people red thumbing this topic are either sick in the head or perverts
Ray it’s not something you should think too much about, Richard said I hope she’s returned safe and well, and has got 10 red thumbs already. It’s inconceivable to think that 10 people are hoping she’s not returned safe and well. I can’t explain why someone would red thumb a comment like that, maybe one of the red thumbers could explain themselves.
Very true stephen
stupid people just red thumb comments to get a reaction that’s all
I’m never sure why people comment on the thumbs to be honest what does it matter whether your green or red thumbed, if your putting up a message of support, surely the support is what your seeking to provide…. unless it’s personal validation your seeking?
What are you on about
I’m assuming ray your not stupid enough to think red thumbs mean people don’t want the girl found…The point I’m making is why be concerned about them?? they don’t make a difference in real life..
I’ve accidentally red thumbed comments while scrolling on the phone, I really hope the thumbs on comments like these are also accidental.
Thats true
You can un red thumb a comment by green thumbing it after .
100% correct Mark……..There is no accounting for the red thumbs in a serious situation as this,……For a spell i used to red thumb their red thumbs in disgust and disbelief that such toxic characters are about.
Now i ignore them, and advise others to do the same and in time they will go back to the sewers they came from.
Great News that this young lady was found safe and well, and hopefully someone will get through to her about going online and meeting with strangers, and the dangers attached.
WELL, YOU CAN ALSO UNDO THE THUMB COLOUR & CHANGE IT!, ,for future reference….
Hope she is found safe and well.
I don’t think allowing a minor to go and meet someone she has befriended on the internet is a wise move for a parent to make.
it doesn’t say in the article that her parents knew ?
It is thought she went to meet someone. The parents thought she was in ashbourne not Jervis street in Dublin. I assume gardai have traced her phone as the mother again thought she was in McDonalds in ashbourne not town. Come on shops all over town check your CCTV footage quicker the better!
It’s quite possible that parents were not aware and friends only informed them now she is missing.
suzie
” Rena’s family say she boarded a bus into Dublin in order to meet someone she had befriended online.”
this quote from the article implies that they knew
They didn’t. Read it again
it implies that they know that now..it doesn’t imply that they knew at the time
glenard , its most likely that her friend told the family them after the girl didn’t cone home
I don’t think they ‘allowed her’
sorry I’ll stat that again , it’s most likely that her friend told the family after the girl didn’t come home .
People are saying that
” it’s most likely that her friend told the family after the girl didn’t come home ”
That very well may be the case but it does not state that in the article and the article is what we are debating here.
You’re saying the article implies the parents knew where she was going. It has been pointed out to you that this is not true.
Hopefully she will be found safe and well.
She didn’t tell anyone where she was going. That only transpired after the fact. Think before you type. Her mother is heartbroken. Not a very nice comment to make.
Yea Glenard and this is the full quote:
“Rena got a bus into town yesterday afternoon, which would be very out of character for her,” Jo said.
Nor does it state in the article that they knew she was meeting someone.
If you are not willing to accept other implications which suggest that they only found out after the fact – then keep your own false implications to youself and stop making allegations against these parents, where you allege that they knew and allowed their 14 year old child to get on a bus to go into town on her own – for any reason.
Patlyndo
They are two completely different quotes from the same article.
G it’s not about you. This girl is missing nearly 30hrs now. I’ve a daughter the same age. It heartbreaking. Your comments don’t help
Glenard – are you that pedantic or just obtuse? The point is that a young girl is missing so please focus on that instead of arguing over the wording in the article.
Yeah, sure Glenard as if a 14 year old kid makes the same right decisions as a so called adult like you?
Hope she is found soon safe and sound. Surly there is loads of cctv cameras around jervis that the Garda can use.
Not to mention people security guards etc.. that would have spotted her.
the dangers if the the internet again , there should be some programme in schools warning kids of the danger of it . the message doesn’t seem to be getting through . I do hope the young girl is found safe and well .
The internet is not dangerous Suzie.The problem is the freaks that use it as a tool to commit criminal acts.
the internet doesn’t hurt people, people hurt people
There is a programme in schools warning kids about it.
well of course that is what I meant
I know that is what you meant Suzie. But you get so much talk about censorship of the internet because of the information that can be found on it.
Who gives a monkeys whether they knew or not right now..a 14 year old is missing which far outweighs a pissing contests on parenting.
Who gives a monkeys whether they knew or not right now..a 14 year old is missing which far outweighs a pissing contest on parenting.
Who gives a monkeys whether they knew or not right now..a 14 year old is missing which far outweighs a p*ssing contest on parenting.
That’s like saying guns aren’t dangerous!?! Regardless of who has a gun in their possession…. It’s still dangerous!!!!! The internet is dangerous!!!!! No one expects sympathy or empathy or these stories but blaming the parents…. That clearly didn’t know and stating the Internet is not dangerous is the mindset that leads to more of these problems!!!!! The Internet is dangerous, anywhere you put your personal info up can be dangerous also! Owning a gun or a pet tiger is dangerous!!!!! Not everyone will get bitten but someone will, an in your mind… Owning a tiger isint the problem, it’s the owner who’s the problem!!!!!!
I still think parents are still too trusting with their kids. they should always be aware of what they are up to or looking at on the internet .
Suzie schools are getting sick of every woe in society being laid at their door to fix. Farm safety, obesity, cyber bullying etc. etc. How many times do we hear the old “they should teach that in schools” line trotted out whenever there is a headline about children or teenagers. Im not referring directly to the parents in this case but in general parents need to step up, educate themselves and take more respinsibility for their childrens actions and particularly safety online.
It’s a long time since I was a teenager but if I wanted to hide something from my parents, no matter how hard they tried, it would stay hidden.
Christopher
The Internet is not dangerous
” The Internet is dangerous, anywhere you put your personal info up can be dangerous ”
exactly
Its stupid people using the Internet that make it dangerous for themselves. You want to avoid danger then don’t do dangerous and stupid things.
Sarah , I totally agree with you it should start at home first and foremost . these days its like the teachers are meant to act like the parents too .
Sadly experience has shown that all too often parents DO just rely on the schools. We’re seeing a rise in child road deaths now for the first time in decades because the govt. cut road safety programs in schools. Whether they thought some kind of genetic memory would pass the knowledge onto the next generation, or they just assumed parents would do it, it was s ridiculous move to make. There is responsibility on the parents but in my experience, parents try to pass off as much of their duties re: their children’s personal development off on the schools. Once had the parents of a class of 15-16 yr olds in a private school ask the teaching staff what we planned to do about their children spending all of their time on the Internet -at home in the evenings. Our response was “Nothing. Maybe unplug their computers or the router.” Seriously, so many parents want teachers to be educator & parent just because they choose not to be.
:(
Nearly every inch of the city is covered by cameras, hopefully she will be found safe and well………..
hopefully they can get a result from the GPS on her phone soon .
FFS, stop fighting amongst yourselves and just tweet or share on any of your social media with #findrena The family are distraught. That’s the best way o help, not speculate
Are young people not told about stranger danger enough anymore? this must be so traumatic for the family. I hope she is found safe and well
young people are being told but some don’t take heed unfortunately. May she b found safe
Most kids are taught about it in primary school, I don’t think teenagers feel it applies to them
Her sister has just posted on Ashbourne Notice board that Rena has been found safe.
I sometimes get the impression that social media has an effect on younger users that keeps parents at a distance from their social/private lives. Since social media is widely available on smartphones, a social life away from parents can be facilitated. I’m not commenting on this girl’s relationship with her parents whatsoever, but I am aware that some younger members of the public can sometimes (and I’m being careful that I don’t generalise) keep parents away from their social lives. I am of course aware that teenagers often want to assert their independence from parents and that this sense of independence is a major part of puberty. However, if the distance between a teenager’s social life and family life can be reduced and indeed parents be included in their social lives then perhaps there wouldn’t be as many secrets kept from parents. Please note that I am not talking about anyone in particular when I say this. I certainly do not intend to deviate from the article’s main objective, and I hope this girl will be unharmed and reunited with her family as soon as possible.
Totally agree with you Eoghan. My eldest now 21 I missed a lot of his teen years be cause he practically locked me out of his room and was on internet when he hit 16. I used to have to barge in on his business as he wasn’t opening to me and god only knows who he had been talking to from abroad. Luckily one person was offering him presents from USA and he told me about it. So I could warn him of who this person could be and made him see the possiblilites of danger. I had to be the brutal parent who was nosey to get him back to socialising with our family. So don’t be worried about intruding that’s your job as a parent.
Every parent’s nightmare, I think? Hope to God that the Gardai resolve this one for the love of everyone concerned.
Let’s be positive – she is only 14 – very young – but hopefully the person she met is not all bad – and she will return safe and sound
Your comment is gross. Thats a 14 year old child you’re talking about.
What great news she has been found safe and well a good finish to the weekend.
You sick little pervert even thinking like that. This is a 14 year old little girl, somebody’s little girl, how dare you speak about her like that you don’t no anything about her who do you think you are to make such grotesque presumptions like that? You sick filthy animal!
Great news for her family. Never nice to see a loved one go missing
i bet there is a foreigner involved there
Ah piss off jerry ya dope
The best parent in the world cannot supervise every single action, online and in reality, that their teenage child takes. The best school in the world cannot teach children every aspect of living in safety. Perhaps looking for a place to load blame makes people feel better, in the face of this terrifying event. Maybe it helps them to distance themselves, that this is something that could never happen to them or their children, because they have or haven’t done X, Y, or Z. It’s a natural response, to try to distance yourself from something that frightens you. I just wish people put a little more thought into deciding whether or not to post that reaction online. The family will be reading these comments, and they are probably already wracked with guilt and worry. Loading blame is not going to help that. My heart goes out to them, and I hope that their little girl comes home safe and well.
Great news!
I think it’s time kids (especially teenagers) are thought about the dangers of meeting people online at home and at school. they need to hear the horror stories from around the world. I hope this girl returns home safe ASAP. it’s a scary world out there.
Are young people not told about stranger danger enough anymore? This must be very traumatic for the family. I hope she is found safe amd well
On a session… And it’s only Sunday…
Credit to the Gardai for helping out on on this situation. Say what you like but there’s no other force in our country that serves to protect, I think?
Please God, this child returns safely and more parents /guardians will be open to discussing this very important issue with their kids. It’s horrible that we have to but I’m sure every generation had their own ‘new problems’ to deal with and let’s hope we do our best to educate the younger generation to keep themselves safe online. . Again , I really do hope this young girl gets home safely
She won’t be going to any discos anytime soon.
why was a 14 year old allowed to be unsupervised at anytime ???
GREAT NEWS THEY FOUND HER!!!!!! THANK GOD!!
I have 5 daughters and I am going to say this and I don’t care how many red thumbs I get. I would shake the shit out of her and I would ban her from her computer and phone for 3 months. I would also not give her a penny to spend for the same length of time. She is 15 and I am the boss!
Great news.
Thank god she has been found! She wants a good leathering after that! Her poor family must have been sick with worry!
i hope she is found safe and well, her poor family. its far to dangerous to let your kids wander.
@Shane Hickey To be clear that was not an accusation parents in this case haven’t cause re read and came across wrong. Apologies! That’s true when teenager i thought I was invincible and very naive. Actually to 20,s still somewhat naive. Wish could do something to help Barr sharing it on internet like that other teen who I don’t if found yet. Daniel. Hope he is OK to.
red thumb bankers
She’s home. Thank god
My heart goes out to the family and we all hope that she comes home to yous, but surely there are ppl who have the knowledge thats needed to trace this mobile phone, and I know that even though it is off!, there are ppl out there who know how to switch it on and or access it! HACKERS UNITE, AND LET’S SEE IF WE CAN USE THE BLOODY INTERNET AND LET’S ACCESS THE CAMERAS ETC, AND GET THIS GIRL BACK HOME TO HER PARENTS AND FRIENDS!, no offense to the garda, but THEY are limited!, were not, so an appeal to my hacking mate’s, let’s see if we can find her please!, , YOU ALL KNOW WHAT TO DO. SO LET’S GET THIS GIRL BACK HOME TO HER PARENTS!…
MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE FAMILY, BUT CAN I JUST SAY THAT, THERE ARE PPL OUT THERE WHO HAVE THE SKILLS TO DO GOOD THINGS! like activating her mobile phone and or finding the last tower it went through!, SO C’MON GUYS, LET US REALLY TRY TO HELP THEM GET THEIR CHILD BACK SAFELY…..
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