198 children here targeted in abductions
NEW abduction cases involving 198 children were dealt with by the Irish authorities last year.
Some 142 new cases, involving 198 children, were handled by the Central Authority for Child Abduction at Justice Minister Alan Shatter's department.
Mr Shatter said parental child abduction is a "constant problem".
All options between estranged spouses need to be exhausted in the best interests of children, he added.
Some 53 of the investigations concerned children being taken into Ireland from abroad, while the remaining 89 related to youngsters being removed from the country.
A total of 119 cases were still active from 2010, bringing to 261 the overall number of ongoing probes last year.
The central authority said 87 of the 142 new investigations involved the United Kingdom, 10 related to Poland and six concerned Latvia.
A further 22 involved other European countries. Abductions between Ireland and the US, Canada, Australia and South Africa also took place.
Problem
The Irish Central Authority was set up following the Child Abduction and Enforcement of Custody Orders Act 1991.
Mr Shatter said: "Parental child abduction remains a constant problem. When family conflict occurs, it is important that estranged parents and spouses exhaust all their options to resolve differences and reach agreement in the best interests of the children involved.
"The use of mediation to resolve difficulties can result in agreements that can last while minimising the negative impact on all those involved.
"To help families access mediation, the Family Mediation Service has now been formally merged with the Legal Aid Board.
"The Government has also approved my proposals for a Mediation Bill which is currently being drafted. Within my remit, I will continue to work to improve the measures available to families."
Of the 119 cases still active from 2010, 60 involved children being taken into the country.
comurphy@herald.ie
Latest Herald
Care homes for religious not part of vaccine roll-out plans
'Breast milk bank saved my baby's life'
'Phased reopening' of schools on the cards
Non-essential shops unlikely to reopen as restrictions ease - Martin
HSE faces barrage of legal claims due to delays in care, solicitors caution
Study may OK use of vitamin D in battle
GPs fear lack of vaccines for over-70s 'could lead to a lot of tensions with patients'
Animals guitarist Hilton Valentine dies aged 77
Push to double knife crime jail sentences
'Coming soon' - Laura shows off baby bump
Top Stories
Philip Schofield’s ‘mea culpa’ interview shows lies always catch you out in the end
When will my energy bill fall and why is the regulator not doing more?
‘There is unprecedented pressure’ – late bookers face €300 fortnight parking charge at Dublin Airport
From peat lands to fuel prices, these four key fault lines are threatening the Coalition’s cohesion
Latest NewsMore
British Soap Awards: Stars do battle for best dramatic moments
The Gallows Pole review: gritty realism and crisp white sheets as Yorkshire seethes with pre-industrial tension
Red Books, the little bookshop that could —‘There’s a real family atmosphere and you meet all sorts of people. It’s the place to be’
-
‘I am an anomaly. Women like me are not meant to succeed in this industry’: Siobhán McSweeney on her losing her parents, almost quitting acting and that Bafta win
-
Meet the mid-life surfers: ‘These women don’t give a f**k. They don’t care if they fall off or what they look like’
-
Singer Cathy Davey: ‘I am hairy where girls aren’t meant to be. I have calloused hands; my feet would scare children’
The new generation of Irish ice cream makers: ‘The maddest flavour we’ve done was sweet potato gelato with black pepper’
-
Diarmuid Gavin’s guide to plants that will thrive in dry conditions
-
Style Notes: New designs from Fresh Cuts, charming Havaianas flip flops and Fran + Jane boutique turns 20
-
Asking for a friend: ‘My partner insists she has the right to look through my phone. Will asking her to move in with me reassure her I’m not cheating?’
