"Missing" child is safe

THE case of a five year old girl reported missing, on Saturday has been referred to social workers.

Johanna Furlong was returned to her mother, Jane, at her flat in Sean MacDermott Street, Dublin, around midday yesterday after spending the night at a friend's nearby.

According to gardai Ms Furlong appeared to have arranged for Johanna to stay with the "woman and her children.

Supt Bill Donoghue said Ms Furlong was "still very distraught and disorientated".

Johanna was said to have spent a happy night with the family, oblivious to the panic. Supt Donoghue said Ms Furlong's friend brought Johanna back to Ms Furlong's flat at midday as soon as she heard reports of her disappearance.

Gardai in Store Street were alerted on Saturday night. Ms Furlong told gardai that Johanna went missing outside Clerys on O'Connell Street at around 5.30 p.m. that day. Gardai were concerned that Johanna's father, a musician living in England, might have abducted her.

A friend from his band who is living in Dublin said yesterday that Johanna's father had had no contact with Ms Furlong for more than three years.

Mr Joe Costello, a Dublin Central TD, said Johanna would be spending last night in Temple Street Children's Hospital, where she would be seen by social workers. Ms Furlong's other child, a three year old boy, remained with his mother.

"The most important thing is that Johanna has been found and she's in good form and in good health," Mr Costello said. He said she was "a lovely child".

He described her admission to hospital as purely precautionary.