Gardai hunt missing girl, 12

Gardai were today searching for a 12-year-old Romanian girl, who is believed to have been smuggled into Ireland for an arranged marriage with an 18-year-old man.

The girl, known as Violeta or Arisiro, is believed to be in the company of the man, who is also from Romania.

She has not been seen since disappearing on Tuesday from the Our Lady’s Hospital for sick children in Crumlin, Dublin, where she was in care.

Gardai said they wanted to speak to the youth in connection with the girl’s disappearance.

She was taken into care a week ago after immigration officers found her at a house in Tallaght, Dublin. The man being sought is thought to live at the same address.

The South Western Area Health Board had secured an emergency care order for the child, but she walked out of Our Lady’s Hospital on Tuesday after either making or receiving a phone call.

Gardai said the girl speaks English poorly and there were serious concerns for her health and safety.