Girl in alleged prostitution ring set to be reunited with family

The case of a teenage girl who was taken into care after she was allegedly lured into a prostitution and phone sex ring has turned out extraordinarily well.

The girl recently sat her Junior Cert and expected to be reunited with her family later this year, the High Court heard yesterday.

Last April, the court was told a file related to the alleged operation of the prostitution ring by a man and a woman was being prepared for the DPP.

The case of the 15-year-old girl first came before the High Court in March when a health board sought an order for her detention in a State remand centre for the purpose of a psychiatric and psychological assessment.

The court heard the girl was taking alcohol and drugs, smoking 40 to 60 cigarettes daily and evidence indicated she had had some 75 sexual partners while working as a prostitute.

It was said the girl came from a good home with a caring father and siblings but that her behaviour became out of control following the death of her mother some months ago.

In April, the case again came before Mr Justice Kelly who was told the girl had made great progress and was very co-operative.

The girl herself told the judge she realised she had been used and was determined to turn her life around.

Mr Justice Kelly directed the girl be moved from the remand centre into the care and control of the health board.

This body was to implement a care plan for her. She was to be housed in a residential unit near her home.

Yesterday, counsel for the health board told Mr Justice O'Neill the care plan was working very well.

The girl had sat her Junior Cert exam and had plans for further education. The case had turned out extremely well.

He said the matter was before the court to finalise it. The girl herself was stressed by the proceedings continuing and it was not in her interest and welfare that they do so.

He was seeking an order that the girl be released into the care and custody of the health board until she was 18 and discretion to reunite her with her family. It was expected that would happen later this year.

Counsel for the girl's father said he had no objection on the understanding there would be reintegration into the family.

Mr Justice O'Neill said he would make the order sought and directed that the health board would continue to have custody of the girl until she was 18.

He awarded costs to the girl's father against the health board.