THE 14-year-old schoolgirl missing for almost two weeks was reunited with her mother and foster parents in Cork last night after she was found safe while staying with a friend in Galway.
Childcare staff from the Southern Health Board brought Katie English home to Cobb by car after collecting her in Galway at noon. The teenager, reported to be very embarrassed", had spent the previous night in the care of the Western Health Board at an emergency facility for young people in Galway.
A WHB spokesman said the health authorities, operating on a childcare order, wanted the reunion to be low-key. This was to respect the wishes of the girl her mother, Ms Kathy O'Mahony (34), who had travelled from London when the teenager was reported missing; and foster parents Kit and Noel Stoat of Cobh, Co Cork.
"She is safe and well and is happy to be returning to Cork," the spokesman said. "The whole episode has been very awkward for her and she is very embarrassed about it. She genuinely did not realise that there would be such a fuss."
Katie had come to Galway because there was "a previous contact" in the city, while those who had helped or sheltered her had done so "in all innocence", he added. There was no question of charges being brought.
Following appeals in the media, Mr John Fitzpatrick, a friend of Katie's mother who lives in Galway, contacted the Garda on Tuesday night. He had met Katie in the city on Saturday, December 21st, the day after she had left home, and had arranged accommodation for her with a friend. He believed her to be on holiday and did not become suspicious until he saw the reports of people looking for her.
As well as the girl's foster parents, her mother, Ms O'Mahony, was also in Cobh to welcome her. They posed for a photograph and requested privacy afterwards.
A statement from the Southern Health Board confirmed Katie would continue to live with her foster parents.