Missing teenage girl 'tried to marry cousin'

A 14-YEAR-OLD schoolgirl on the run with her 23-year-old cousin asked a maverick bishop in the North to marry them before fleeing south of the Border.

A search involving police in England, the North and here has begun for schoolgirl Margaret O'Brien, who went missing four days ago and is travelling with her cousin, James O'Brien.

The investigation is being treated as child abduction because of the girl's age.

The pair, members of the Travelling community in Teesside, northern England, are believed to have travelled to Dublin on Monday, just hours after meeting with Co Antrim-based Bishop Pat Buckley, who refused to marry them.

Margaret's mother Catherine said yesterday: "Margaret, you are not in any trouble. All we want is for you to get in touch and come home. The whole family is in a terrible state not knowing where you are and what is going on. Ring me, or someone close.

"Not knowing is a dreadful thing. It is a hurt that causes terrible pain to all those that care for you.

"I love you and just want the best for you and I can only do that if you come home. Please, please make contact."

Bishop Buckley spoke with the pair for 30 minutes on Monday afternoon.

He said: "They were here. I listened to them and ascertained she was only 14. I told them legally I could not marry them and I advised them to travel back to England and sit down with their families."

Bishop Buckley said he did not realise a search was under way for them. They asked directions for Dublin and he got the impression they planned to flee abroad as both had their passports.

Mr O'Brien was born in Ireland. A leading member of the Travelling community here said it's possible the pair will stay away from relatives in Ireland.

British Detective Superintendent Shane Sellers said: "I am hoping if they do approach any priests with a view to getting married, that any requests will be refused point blank.

"We think they have now headed to southern Ireland. The gardaí have been alerted, all ports and airports in the whole of Ireland have also been alerted.

"Margaret has been taken from the control and custody of her parents. She is vulnerable because of her age and it is important we do find her," he added.