Gardaí appealing for the public's help in identifying a young girl found in Dublin last month have released images of the girl.

The teenager - believed to be 14 or 15 - was discovered in a distressed state on O'Connell Street on Thursday, October 10.

She is 5'6" in height, of slim build, and with long blond hair.

When found she was wearing a purple hoodie, dark-coloured jeans and a grey woollen jumper.

"On Thursday 10th October at 4.15pm, members of An Garda Síochána from Store St Garda station discovered a young female on O’Connell Street in a distressed state," gardaí said in a statement today.

"An Garda Síochána invoked Section 12 of the Child Care Act 1991 and this female was taken into care at Store Street.

"This young female was then placed in the care of the HSE where she remains under an interim care order."

Gardaí said that so far 115 lines of inquiry have been pursued, with 15 possible names provided. However her identity still remains unknown.

A dedicated incident room, with a phone line manned 24 hours, has been set up in Store Street for the purposes of contact from the public. This office also has a dedicated email address.

- Dedicated Store Street Phone Number - +353 1 666 8100

- Garda Confidential Line – 1800 666 111

- Email - storestreetappeal@garda.ie

"I am extremely concerned about the welfare circumstances of this young person," said Orla Ryan, guardian ad litem in the case.

"What we know about her, at present, is limited. It is in the child’s best interests to be identified, and I fully support An Garda Síochána in their continuing investigation.”

Superintendent David Taylor said gardaí have taken an unusual decision in releasing images of the girl.