A Moldovan girl facing deportation with her family continues to await word on whether she will remain here long enough to take part in next month's Young Scientist Exhibition.
Ms Elena Cernei (16), of St Killian's Community School, Bray, Co Wicklow, successfully entered a maths project with a friend in the Esat Young Scientist and Technology exhibition, which takes place next January. She is unsure, however, whether she will still be in Dublin when the event comes around.
The Department of Justice continues to consider the family's appeal against deportation and her school principal, Mr Michael Sheridan, has appealed to the Minister, Mr O'Donoghue, to allow her to stay.
Mr Sheridan described her as one of the school's brightest pupils, adding she had made a "huge contribution" to St Killian's. The Department yesterday said it did not comment on individual cases.
Time is running short, however, as the exhibition takes place from January 8th to 12th. The organisers released details of the 2002 event yesterday at Loreto College, St Stephen's Green. Figures show that the Esat Young Scientist and Technology exhibition continues to grow, with a record number of entries for the 2002 event. The 774 entries involving research performed by 2,270 students is up by 25 per cent on last year's figures.
The annual event provides an opportunity for students to prepare research projects in one of three areas and then present their work to the public at the RDS. They also compete for prizes which include cash and trips abroad.
