A judge has ordered a social worker and a health board to attend the Children's Court to explain what intervention they plan for the welfare of a teenage girl arrested for prostitution.
The girl (17) worked as a prostitute with the knowledge of her mother and in the presence of her six-year-old sister, the Children's Court had heard earlier.
She had been accompanied by her mother and little sister when she was engaged in an act of prostitution in a laneway with a 50- year-old man.
The girl is being kept in custody over fears for her safety.
Prosecuting Garda Mathew McKenna said yesterday that in the intervening days, he had contacted the health board, requesting them to attend the girl's court case. However, there was no health board representative present when the case was called.
Defence solicitor Ms Kelly Breen applied for a remand for the health board to be brought to court and for measures to be put in place for the teenager's welfare.
Judge Angela Ní Chondúin said she was adjourning the case for two weeks to allow the health board time to intervene. She also ordered the attendance of the health board and the girl's social worker at the court case to outline their plans for her.
The girl, who was weeping during the proceedings, begged for bail, saying: "My mother wants me home." However, Judge Ní Chondúin would not allow her home, telling her she had serious concerns for her safety.