Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
Minister for Justice Alan Shatter (file photo) Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
child abductions
147 new cases of suspected child abductions reported in 2012
Nearly half of the new cases involved the United Kingdom.
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE dealt with 147 new cases of suspected child abductions in 2012, figures released by the department have revealed.
The Central Authority for Child Abductions dealt with a total of 276 cases in 2012, 129 of which had been carried over from 2011.
New cases
The new cases for 2012 involved 192 children. 83 of the cases related to attempts to bring children out of the country while the remaining 64 cases dealt with children entering the State.
When broken down by country, the 147 new cases included the following:
- 46% (68) involved the United Kingdom
- 10% (14) involved Poland
- 8% (12) involved Latvia
- 24% (36) involved other European countries
- 12% (17) other contracting states (i.e. USA; Canada; Australia; South Africa)
Commenting on the figures, the Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said that parental child abductions continued to be a “worrying problem”.
Believing that mediation between the parties involved remained the best way to resolve differences, the minister said that he would continue to improve the “measures available to families including through the Mediation Bill which is currently being drafted.”
have your say