The first person to be charged under new legislation concerning child trafficking appeared at Dublin District Court yesterday.
Ms Margaret Birhiray (26), of Moorefield Park, Newbridge, Co Kildare, was charged with the trafficking of an eight-year-old girl contrary to the Illegal Immigration (Trafficking) Act, 2000.
It follows the stopping of the unaccompanied girl, who was coming off a flight from Lagos, Nigeria, at Dublin Airport on May 11th last, by Garda immigration officers.
Ms Birhiray, a laboratory technician with two children, was remanded on her own bail of €150 to appear again on February 6th. It is understood the child at the centre of the alleged offence is in the care of the Eastern Regional Health Authority.