Teenager may have been sold into marriage

GARDAÍ are concerned that a 15-year-old Moldovan asylum seeker who disappeared from her government accommodation last Tuesday may have been sold into a marriage with an older man.

The girl, named by gardaí as Madalina Rosu, was staying in a hostel for unaccompanied minors in Dublin’s north inner city. Madalina is understood to have arrived in Ireland on her own claiming asylum.

Gardaí have previously investigated cases where unaccompanied minors from Eastern Europe, particular Romania and neighbouring Moldova, have been sold into marriage.

The marriages are usually arranged in those countries and involve the young girl being smuggled into Ireland and later meeting her husband. The arranged marriages are common among sections of the Roma ethnic community, most of whom come from Romania and Moldova.

A garda spokesman said: “gardaí at Mountjoy are seeking the public’s assistance in locating the whereabouts of 15-year-old Madalina Rosu, who has been missing from her residence on the North Circular Road, Dublin 7, since Wednesday April 7, 2004.” Madalina is described as 5’1,” of slight build, with a pale complexion.

She has long dark brown hair with a blonde streak to the rear, and blue eyes.

Gardaí said she was last seen wearing pale blue jeans, trainers and a white puffa jacket with a fur collar.

She was also wearing a silver “Next” watch with a blue face. A garda source yesterday said they were treating Madalina’s disappearance very seriously.

“We are obviously concerned, given her age and the fact that she’s vulnerable, being a minor and on her own.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact gardaí at Mountjoy Station on 01-6668600, any garda station or the garda confidential line, 1800-666111.