Prostitution case hearing set for March

A TEENAGE girl charged with engaging in prostitution was yesterday remanded on bail by the Dublin Children's Court for a hearing next March.

The girl, now aged 18, but who was a juvenile at the time of the alleged offence is charged under section 7 of the Criminal Law Sexual Offences Act for loitering in a public place with intent to solicit or importune another person for the purposes of prostitution, at Stoneybatter, D.7, on January 3 last.

Previously the court had heard that her mother and little sister, aged six, were present when she was engaged in an alleged act of prostitution in a laneway with a 50-year-old man.

The girl, who is a recovering heroin addict, had been remanded in custody last week after a two-month period in which she had gone missing, broken bail conditions, failed to appear in court and tested positive for drug use.

Judge Timothy Lucey granted bail yesterday on condition that the teenager resided in hostel accommodation and provide regular urine samples.

Defence solicitor Catherine Ghent told the court that the defendant would continue to get assistance from social services.

A hearing of the case was set down for a date next March but the case is to be mentioned again later this month to monitor the girl's adherence to the bail conditions.

Following her arrest, the Health Service Executive put in place a comprehensive care programme with accommodation, a training course, psychological assessments and drug rehabilitation treatment.