A RUNAWAY schoolgirl may have tried to marry her 23-year-old cousin after disappearing from her North-East home.

Police believe 14-year-old Margaret O'Brien and James Patrick O'Brien asked a priest to carry out the ceremony after arriving in Northern Ireland.

It is thought the couple, both from the travelling community settled on Teesside, have since headed south to the Republic of Ireland in their quest to get married.

The police investigation, which is being treated as child abduction, was sparked after Margaret left her family home, in Thornaby, with her passport on Good Friday morning.

In a statement, Margaret's mother, Catherine, told of the family's pain and pleaded with her runaway daughter to contact them.

"I want Margaret to know she is not in any trouble," she said.

"All we want is for her to get in touch and come home.

"The whole family is in a terrible state, not knowing where she is and what is going on.

"All I want is for her to make some contact, for her to ring me or someone close. Not knowing is a dreadful thing.

"It is a hurt that causes terrible pain to all those that care for her."

Speaking directly to Margaret, she said: "I love you and just want the best for you, and I can only do that if you come back home. Please, please make contact."

Detective Superintendent Shane Sellers last night revealed that the couple had headed to Scotland before crossing to Ireland.

He said: "There is a massive police search going on for Margaret.

"A hunt was yesterday concentrated in Scotland but today it has switched to Ireland.

"Mr O'Brien has strong Teesside links but has been working for some time in Europe.

"Yesterday we received information he had travelled to Scotland where some of his relations live.

"We received a great deal of help from the Scottish police and media.

"As a result of our appeals, a lady from Dumfries and Galloway, who had been in Northern Ireland on a weekend break, returned home and became aware of the police appeal.

"She made contact to say she had seen a young woman with an older man at the Curran Court Hotel in Larne.

"She particularly noticed the girl because of her striking looks and the fact she was with an older man."

He said the police service of Northern Ireland made inquiries it appeared the couple arrived at the hotel on Sunday, paying for their visit with Scottish bank notes.

Det Supt Sellers added: "It is believed they had approached a priest to marry them and were refused. As a result, we think they have now headed to southern Ireland.

"The Garda have been alerted. All ports and airports in the whole of Ireland have also been alerted.

"We are treating this as a child abduction. Margaret has been taken from the control and custody of her parents.

"She is vulnerable because of her age. It is important that we find her."

The female witness told police that the teenager had looked "fine" when she saw her.

Mr O'Brien, who is originally from southern Ireland, is known to the police, but officers would not reveal his occupation or where he had worked in Europe.

The family had been aware that the couple had been in a relationship for the past 12 months.

Det Supt Sellers said: "It was a relationship that Margaret's mother did not approve of.

"We have spoken to his parents, and clearly they are upset at the fact that this has happened and they want him to reunite Margaret with her family."

Although it is legal for first cousins to wed, people can only marry over the age of 16.

Det Supt Sellers added: "I am hoping that if they do approach any priests with a view to getting married, that any requests will be refused point-blank."