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Eaton Children

Two still in custody over disappearance of Eaton children

A 30-year-old man, and another woman, remain in police custody over the disappearance of four children from Co Louth.

A 30-YEAR-OLD MAN and a woman remain in police custody in Northern Ireland over the disappearance of four children from Co Louth last week.

The man and woman, 28 - neither of whom have been named by police - are being held at an unnamed station north of the border, where officers say they are "assisting them with their inquiries."

A PSNI spokeswoman said it was too early, as yet, to ascertain whether any charges might be brought against the two arrested people - and, if so, whether they would be brought against them in the Republic or north of the border.

The Eaton children - Chloe, Jessica, Jon and Megan, who are aged 12, 10, 5 and 1 respectively - are understood to have been identified at a village of holiday cottages in Maghera, near Newcastle in Co Down, according to the Belfast Telegraph.

They were identified there after being recognised by a local man, who had seen photographs of the children and of Steven Appleton, 30, following their publication in the national media. They were safe and well when discovered, Gardaí said.

The children had been left in Appleton's care when their mother, Rebecca Eaton, had gone into hospital last week to be treated for a minor complaint.

The alarm was raised when Eaton was discharged from hospital, but found her home empty.

The Irish Independent adds that officers were able to identify that the children had been brought north of the border when it was confirmed that the adults in the children's company had spent around £300 (€350) on clothing at a Primark store in Newry.

The Eatons were originally from Bognor Regis in England, and had moved into the rented house at Tullykeel Lodge in Ardee last December.

The Telegraph adds that Appleton was paying the monthly rent of €2,500 for the house, as well as renting a second property nearby.

Missing Louth children found safe and well in Co Down >