The Shannon audit found no evidence that Section 12 is being used in an over-zealous manner by An Garda Síochána, and that the fall-out from the 2013 Athlone and Dublin Roma cases meant some gardaí were more anxious about using it.

Record number of complaints show complexities of children’s lives.

The Ombudsman for Children has added her voice to calls for the proposed child protection referendum to be held separately from the vote on the Lisbon Treaty.

A LETTER which you published on Thursday last queried the authority of my office to conduct the Big Ballot, a nationwide poll involving children and young people.