About 4,000 people go missing for a time in Ireland each year – and the emotional impact on their loved ones, who live with ongoing uncertainty and questions, is immense. They must be given proper support, writes, Dermot Browne.
James Foley went missing six weeks ago but news of his kidnap is only emerging now after his family broke their silence. It is the second time he has been kidnapped in recent years.
Releasing the figures on parental-child abduction, Alan Shatter urged estranged partners experiencing problems to seek mediation in the best interests of the children involved.
The party’s Chief Whip said his own family had experienced a tiger kidnapping “first hand” – and that he did not wish to see others suffer the same ordeal.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Alan Shatter has said new CSO figures give a “positive picture” of Ireland as there were decreases in 12 of the 14 crime groups.
Kenyan police say they believe Somali militant group al-Shabab is behind the attack, which comes after the group’s recent warning of “bloody battles” which would endanger the lives of civilians.
It has emerged that the father of Chelsea midfielder Mikel John Obi is being held by kidnappers in his native Nigeria. The footballer has yet to receive a ransom demand.
Libyan author Hisham Matar, whose father was ‘disappeared’ by Gaddafi 21 years ago, says writing is a political act – and that the Irish know that better than anyone.
AT A HIGH-profile US Senate meeting, technology giant Apple was accused of using Ireland as a ‘tax haven’.
The multinational firm, which employs 4,000 people in Ireland, reportedly avoided paying €34 billion in US taxes by negotiating a tax rate of less than 2 per cent with the Irish government – significantly lower than that nation’s 12.5 per cent statutory rate.
The Senate heard that American children are losing out on education because Apple is transferring profits to Irish subsidiaries.
However, the Taoiseach Enda Kenny has denied that Ireland is a tax haven and rejected claims that authorities had negotiated deals with multi-national companies.
So, today we want to know, what do you think? Should Ireland be tougher on multi-national companies when it comes to tax?
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