Police launch urgent hunt for girl, 14, who vanished with man, 18, three days ago

POLICE have issued a desperate appeal to find a 14-year-old girl who vanished with an 18-year-old man three days ago.

Irish cops are asking for the public’s help in finding teenager Svetlana Murphy.

The teenage girl left her home in Blackrock, Co , on Monday at around 4pm.

Gardai have said she is in the company of 18-year-old Nojus Maculevicius.

They are travelling in a silver Hyundai Veloster car – registration number 132-D-13518 – which was sighted in Newry, Co Down, at 7pm on Monday.

believe the car was in the greater Belfast area at 5.35pm yesterday evening.

They are “not aware of Svetlana’s and Nojus’ whereabouts at this time”.

Garda Superintendent Liam Geraghty said Svetlana was reported missing by her father on Monday and gardai now have “serious concerns that there is an immediate and serious risk” to her health and welfare.

“Svetlana has not been in contact with her family since she was reported as missing on Monday afternoon and we have serious concerns for her welfare at this stage,” Garda Superintendent Geraghty told RTE’s Today with Claire Byrne programme.

He did not divulge why gardai are concerned.

“Our concern at the moment is to speak with Svetlana or Nojus,” he added.

“We need to know that Svetlana is safe and well today. We need to find Svetlana today and return her to her family.”

‘SERIOUS RISK’ CONCERNS

A statement released last night reads: “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.

“Gardai 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.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Gardaí on 999 or 112.

Gardai added: “Please do not approach those involved, instead immediately contact 999 / 112 or your local Garda Station providing as much information as possible.”