A social worker has told the trial of a man accused of murdering Sligo teenager Melissa Mahon that the girl was very vulnerable.
Ronald McManus, also known as Ronald Dunbar, of Rathbraughan Park in Sligo, denies murdering 14-year-old Melissa Mahon in 2006.
The trial has been hearing evidence from social workers and gardaí who encountered the 14-year-old before her death.
A senior social worker also said that Melissa never settled at a residential care home prior to her disappearence.
Judith McLoughlin, a manager at the Lisnanogue centre told the Central Criminal Court that Melissa didn't appear to buy into a programme of care on offer to her.
Earlier, a HSE social worker told the Central Criminal Court that the young girl was very vulnerable.
Donna McTague told the court that Melissa Mahon left a Sligo care facility a number of times without permission.
Two Sligo gardaí later gave evidence of being called to help return Melissa Mahon to the care home.
Both gardaí told the court that on 13 September 2006 Melissa and another girl appeared to have superficial cuts on their forearms.
Garda Aisling Fallon told the court that she found a piece of green glass on Melissa, which the teenagers may have used to make the cuts.
Later, a number of Sligo gardai told the court that Melissa was reported missing on the 14 September, 2006.
A garda told the court that the report to the radio room at Sligo station was recorded on the force's internal police computer system known as PULSE.
Another witness, Jane McColl, told the court that she was asked to foster Melissa on an emergency basis on 13 September 2006.
Ms McColl gave evidence that the teenager later left her home after a phone call that appeared to upset her.
She said the girl left in her bare feet.
In a written statement read to the court another witness said Melissa later arrived at their home asking to make a phone call.
The remains of Melissa McMahon were discovered in February 2008 at Lough Gill.
The trial continues.
