Concern about missing girl (14)

GARDAI and social workers have expressed concern about a 14 year old girl in foster care in Cobh, Co Cork, who has been missing for a week.

Ms Katie English, who was last seen near Cork bus station on Friday morning, may have travelled to England to visit her birth mother, Ms Catherine O'Mahoney, according to gardai in Cobh. However, Ms O'Mahoney flew into Cork from London before Christmas on hearing her daughter was missing.

Katie, or Kate, is described at 5 ft 2 in and of slim build. She has short, dark brown hair, blue eyes and a pale complexion.

Her foster mother, Ms Kit Stoat, last night issued a plea to Katie to return home. "She has nothing at all to worry about. We just want her home." Ms Stoat said Katie appeared to be in good "form before she went missing.

After her disappearance, Ms Stoat discovered Katie had taken a toothbrush and two changes of clothing with her.

A social worker with the Southern Health Board, Mr Des McEneaney, said he was "very worried" by Katie's disappearance. "She's one of the most sensible children we have in foster care, bright but not streetwise in any way. She never got into any kind of trouble before."

Gardai are also investigating the possibility that she may have tried to reach her birth father, Mr Frank English, who lives in Cahir, Co Tipperary. However, Mr English, who was said to be "very distraught", has not heard from his, daughter.

Katie has been in regular contact with her birth parents, although she was placed in care in 1986. She has been fostered by the Stoat family for the past four years. Two other sisters are also in care in the Cork area.