First child murder in Ireland since 2005

A 12-year-old Dublin girl was murdered, and her body dumped near a canal in the suburb of Porterstown.

The girl, named as Michaela Davis, was from a local housing estate. A 19-year old youth was arrested shortly afterwards by police.

The body was discovered by a man walking his dog. It is the first murder of a child in Ireland since 2005.

Michaela was last seen alive at midnight on Friday when she left her house for reasons unknown. When she dd not return, her frantic parents called police.

Police are investigating who she met after she left home.

A teenage girl told police that she had been in regular text contact with the girl shortly before she disappeared.

She said she received a message from her three hours before she was reported missing, the Sunday Independent reported. It said: "I am just back from town, sounds fun." The text was accompanied by a 'smiley face' and several kisses.

Michaela is survived by her parents and her brother Brendan.

The area where Michaela's body was discovered is a well-known hang out of teenagers.