Issue Date: 22/04/2021 - 18.26
Update 9 – CRI ALERT - Child Rescue Ireland Alert, 22nd
A Child Rescue Ireland Alert (CRI) remains in place.
An Garda Síochána continue to appeal to Svetlana and Nojus to make contact with somebody and let us know that you are safe and well. Let us know so we can reunite you with your families.
An Garda Síochána are continuing to appeal to the public for assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 14-year-old Svetlana Murphy. Svetlana is in the company of Nojus Maculevicius, 18 years old.
Images of Svetlana, Nojus and the vehicle, a silver Hyundai Veloster car, with registration number 132-D-13518 that they are understood to be travelling in, are attached.
A further update will be issued within two hours if not sooner
Issue Date: 22/04/2021 - 00.30
An Garda Síochána has initiated a Child Rescue Ireland (CRI) Alert.
An Garda Síochána is seeking the public's assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 14-year-old, Svetlana Murphy.
Following investigations to date, An Garda Síochána now have serious concerns that there is an immediate and serious risk to the health or welfare of Svetlana.
At approximately 4pm on Monday, 19th April 2021 Svetlana left her home on Coast Road, Blackrock, Co. Louth. She is described as 5 foot 1 inch in height with a slim build. She has brown hair and brown eyes. At the time she went missing, Svetlana was wearing navy tracksuit bottoms with a red and white stripe on the leg, a black zipped top and black runners.
Svetlana is in the company of Nojus Maculevicius, 18 years old.
Nojus is described as being 6 foot in height with a slim build. He has dark brown hair and he is clean shaven. He was wearing dark grey Snickers work trousers and a black Snickers top. He may also have been wearing a khaki green hoody, and either black boots or Adidas runners.
Both Svetlana and Nojus are travelling in a silver Hyundai Veloster car, with registration number 132-D-13518.
Gardaí are satisfied that Svetlana and Nojus travelled from Blackrock, Co. Louth to Newry, Co. Down on Monday, 19th April 2021, and were sighted in Newry at approximately 7pm.
Gardaí are satisfied the Hyundai Veloster car was in the greater Belfast area at 5.35pm yesterday evening, Wednesday 21st April 2021.
An Garda Síochána is not aware of Svetlana’s and Nojus’ whereabouts at this time.
APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC:
Anyone with information is asked to contact Gardaí on 999 or 112.
Please do not approach those involved, instead immediately contact 999 / 112 or your local Garda Station providing as much information as possible.
THE GARDA CONFIDENTIAL NUMBER SHOULD NOT BE USED AS THIS NUMBER IS NOT MANNED ON A 24 HOUR BASIS
• A photograph of Svetlana is attached to this press release.
• A photograph of Nojus is attached to this press release.
• A photograph of the car Svetlana and Nojus are travelling in is attached to this press release.
These photographs have been provided for the sole purpose of assisting a Garda investigation into tracing a person reported as missing and should not be used for any other purpose.
In the case of juveniles (person under 18 years) An Garda Síochána draws your attention to Section 31(1) Child Care Act, 1991 as amended, which may be relevant. "No matter likely to lead members of the public to identify a child who is or has been the subject of proceedings under Part III, IV, IVA or VI shall be published or broadcast”.
A further update will be issued within two hours if not sooner.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
We request that the media would immediately issue this CRI Alert for the information of the public and include on your online communications as appropriate.
The Press Office of An Garda Síochána will issue updates every two hours if not more frequently.
The cancellation of the CRI Alert will also be issued, when appropriate.
Initiating a CRI Alert requires careful consideration. As indicated at the launch of the initiative, media assistance is vital in ensuring the support of the community and the safe return of the child. Further information on the Child Rescue Ireland Alert System is available on the Garda website www.garda.ie
Child Abduction in the context of these guidelines refers to taking or detaining a Child 'under the age of eighteen (18) years without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.
The legislation applicable to the term abduction is: Section 15 Non Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997, False Imprisonment Section 16 Non Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997, Abduction Section 17 Non Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997,
Abduction CRI Alert will only be launched when all the following criteria exist.
• The child is under the age of eighteen (18) years
• There is a reasonable belief that the child has been abducted
• There is a reasonable belief that there is an immediate and serious risk to the health or welfare of a child
• There is sufficient information available to enable the public to assist An Garda Síochána in locating the child
