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Children's Ombudsman to release report into removal of Roma children from families
Two children were taken from their families in October of last year.
CHILDREN’S OMBUDSMAN EMILY Logan will today publish her report into the removal of two Roma children from their families in Dublin and Westmeath last year.
A seven-year-old girl spent two days in care last October after she was removed from her family in Tallaght.
The child was returned to the family this evening once the results of a DNA test were made known.
The same week, a two-year-old boy was taken from a family in Athlone and placed in HSE care. He was returned the following evening.
The two cases came at the same time that a blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl known as Maria was found at a Roma camp in Greece, sparking international headlines. It later transpired that she too was related to the Roma family from which she was taken.
The family of the Athlone boy is suing the State for breach of constitutional rights, false imprisonment, defamation and damages for mental distress.
Both families expressed anger at the incidents.
The Children’s Ombudsman will release her report into the events this afternoon.
