GardaÍ believe a Romanian teenager missing since January has been shot and dumped in the Grand Canal in Dublin.

Marioara Rostas (18) is believed to have been murdered by an Irish man whom she had befriended shortly before she disappeared.

The man, who is 29, was detained last Friday and questioned at Pearse Street garda station, along with two women, who are believed to be his relations. A second male was arrested at mid-
day yesterday.

Detectives are working on the theory Rostas, who is a member of the Roma community, attended a party at an address in Dublin 8 before being shot after an argument.

It is believed her body was taken away in the boot of a car and sources have indicated she was weighted down and dumped in a stretch of canal.

Searches of the Grand Canal have yet to take place but it is believed extensive searches involving the garda sub-aqua team will begin within the next few days.

The man held in custody is a member of a well-known crime family from the south-inner city. Although he is not well-known to gardaí it is believed he has been involved in the distribution of firearms to serious criminals. Sources say the two females, aged 30 and 56, could hold key information. They are being held on suspicion of withholding information, as is the man arrested yesterday.

Marioara Rostas was last seen by her brother getting into a car on Lombard Street East on 6 January 2008. She was living at Corballis West, Donabate and was reported missing by her parents. She was wearing blue jeans, a white top, pink scarf and a long black jacket.

The 29-year-old is being held for the suspected possession of a firearm.