Teenager denies part in Temple Bar 'honey trap' theft

A teenage mother-of-one has today denied taking part in a "honey trap" style theft during which a man was allegedly offered sex in Temple Bar in Dublin.

The 17-year-old, who is from Romania, came to Ireland about a year ago without any parents and had been living with extended family members in Dublin.

However, the Children's Court was told today that in the past week the girl's mother has come over and will remain with her daughter until the case has concluded.

Noting that a not guilty plea had been entered, Judge Ann Ryan remanded the girl, who was accompanied to her case by her mother, on continuing bail to appear again on a date next month at the same court when her non-jury trial will take place.

The court heard that she accused of being involved in a honey-trap type of theft from a man at Bloom's Lane, in Temple Bar.

Garda Fiona Deevy had told Judge Ryan that it would be alleged that on September 1 last the girl “was with a group of female Romanians that were engaged in the Temple Bar area offering males sex”.

“They brought this male down a lane and distracted him and stole a gold chain, €40 and a Nokia phone from him,” she said.

The teenager, who speaks little English, has had the proceedings translated by an interpreter.

The court has heard that the HSE had previously carried out a child protection assessment of the girl and found that there were no welfare concerns and it was not intended to take her or her baby into care.

Before the mother joined her in Dublin the girl had been in Ireland without any parental support and living with extended family members, in “overcrowded accommodation”.

Defence solicitor Gareth Noble had said earlier that since February there have been six referrals to the HSE, on four occasions from gardaí and twice from the Children's Court.

It is alleged she has been influenced by older individuals many of whom have the same address as the teen, the defence solicitor had told the court last week.

Judge Ryan had also said the girl's safety was a major issue.

The teenager has also pleaded not guilty to another charge for stealing a wallet containing €80 from a man at Fleet Street, in Dublin city-centre on August 18 last.