Romanian orphan can stay in Ireland

An Irishwoman has been allowed to adopt a Romanian orphan who was at the centre of a deportation scandal earlier today.

The Romanian authorities had ordered that four-year-old Mihaela Porambaru be returned to her native country because of a mix-up with her visa.

She had been staying with a foster family in Dundalk, Co Louth and was receiving medical attention in Ireland.

The girl’s foster mother had feared that Mihaela would not get the treatment she needs in Romania, but this afternoon she was told that she can adopt the girl permanently.