GARDAÍ were yesterday combing a second crime scene and questioning a young man in relation to the killing of 12-year-old Michaela Davis, who may have been exploited by older teenagers before her violent death.
A 19-year-old man was still being questioned in Blanchardstown Garda station last night in connection with Michaela’s death, more than a day after he presented himself at the station just hours after the schoolgirl’s body was found in undergrowth on a laneway by the Royal Dublin Canal.
A postmortem was carried out on her body yesterday. It is believed that showed the schoolgirl had been beaten and strangled. It is understood her body was partially clothed when found by a pensioner as he was out walking at around 4pm on Saturday.
Yesterday up to 80 gardaí took part in searches near where Michaela’s body was found and at a second crime scene close to her home in the Village, Porterstown in west Dublin, where her bicycle was discovered yesterday morning.
Michaela, who only began secondary school at Luttrellstown Community College last week, was out with friends on Friday evening and then returned home.
However, just after midnight she told her parents, Brendan and Deirdre, that she was going outside for a while. It is understood she cycled away from her house, and at 2.20am her parents contacted gardaí to report her missing.
One line of inquiry being investigated by gardaí is whether she was being exploited by older teenagers and young adults, being offered cigarettes, money or alcohol.
Gardaí would not say whether the man being questioned was known to Michaela but it is understood officers are not looking for anyone else.
Garda spokesman Supt John Gilligan described the death and investigation as "a hugely emotive issue for the community" and asked anyone with information on Michaela’s whereabouts on Friday night or Saturday morning to come forward.
