Irish authorities liaise with Australian counterparts over young woman initially believed to be of European origin
A mystery girl found wandering the centre of Dublin in a distressed state is Australian, police believe.
Although she is still refusing to speak English, Irish police officers believe she understands what they are saying, it has emerged.
After 2,000 man-hours, 15 lines of inquiry and a court case that allowed the Garda to publish her picture online, she has been named as "Samantha" and is in her late teens or early twenties.
The woman, who was found wandering in O'Connell Street, Ireland's most famous thoroughfare, last month in a deeply disorientated state, has yet to speak to Garda officers or health officials caring for her.
Originally the Garda were pursuing a line that she was of east European origin and was much younger, possibly even 14 or 15.
Garda officers carried out door-to-door inquiries, viewed CCTV footage from the city centre and checked the missing persons' list. They also visited ports, airports and train stations with images of the girl. Guesthouses in Dublin city centre were checked for people who booked and did not turn up, or for people who stayed and did not return.
Gardaí checked left luggage storage services in the city centre for uncollected luggage and for property that was past its prepaid date. Paediatric orthodontists nationwide were even canvassed, as the girl has a brace.
She was kept under protective guard at a Dublin hospital while a Garda operation based in the Store Street station in the centre of the Irish capital tried to identify her. At one stage she was even under guard as officers feared she could be targeted by human trafficking gangs.
"The AFP, in conjunction with appropriate state police forces, are assisting Irish authorities with this request," said a spokesman.
"As this matter is ongoing, it is not appropriate for the AFP to comment any further."
"Samantha" is now communicating by writing short notes in English but still not speaking so far, sources in Dublin said on Wednesday.
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