Search for missing Carlow schoolgirl moves to Dublin

THE search for missing Carlow schoolgirl, Amanda Shine, has moved to Dublin after she was reportedly sighted in a church in the north inner city yesterday morning.

Gardaí are now concentrating their efforts in tracing the 14-year-old schoolgirl on the Phibsboro area after she disappeared from her hometown in the company of an older male friend last Monday.

Detectives have appealed for the Junior Cert pupil and 24-year-old Michael Martin, to contact their families to let them know they are safe.

Amanda's mother, Valerie, issued a fresh appeal to her daughter yesterday to return to Carlow. "We love you and just want you home," she said Ms Shine.

Amanda was reported missing after she failed to turn up to be collected from the Presentation Convent school in Carlow on Monday afternoon.

She was last seen leaving the college on Hacketstown Road at around 1pm.

Gardaí believe the two friends travelled to Dublin earlier this week and are now staying in the city.

It follows a reported sighting of the couple by a priest in a church at Aughrim Street near Stoneybatter a short distance from the city's Four Courts yesterday morning. The couple were described as looking tired and hungry but, otherwise, well.

However, it is understood Amanda and Martin may have split up for a brief period during their time in the capital. Customs officers at airports and ferry terminals remain on alert. Anyone with information on Amanda's whereabouts is asked to contact Carlow gardaí on 0503-31505.