Gardaí given permission to release information on girl found distressed in Dublin

The High Court has today granted the gardaí permission to release information about a teenage girl who they have been unable to identify.

The girl, believed to be in her mid teens has been in the care of the Heath Services Executive for several weeks, after being found in a distressed state by the Gardaí in Dublin.

On Friday afternoon Mr Justice George Birmingham granted the Gardaí an order under Section 31.2 of the 1991 Child Care Act allowing the Gardaí, in the exercise of their operational discretion, to release information concerning the teen to the media.

Yesterday, lawyers for the Garda Commissioner, in seeking the order, told the Court the investigation had "hit a brick wall".

The gardaí had reached "a deadlock" in their efforts to identify the girl and every possible avenue had been exhausted.

Despite their intensive efforts, the gardaí were unable to establish who the girl is, where she comes from or who her family are.

As a result, the gardaí said that they wanted to release information, including a picture of the teen, to the media, which could help identify her.

The gardaí believe that a criminal offence has been committed against the girl, who is currently receiving treatment and is in the care of the HSE.

The girl's court-appointed guardian supported the garda application. Felix McEnroy SC, on behalf of the guardian, said it was in the girl's best interests that steps be taken to identify her.

The HSE objected to a picture of the girl being published.

Its lawyers said professionals who have been working with her believe publication could have "a disturbing effect on her."