DYLAN Benwell, the Cork-born youngster at the centre of an international tug of love, returned to the home of his mother in the US yesterday, over three months after his grandparents were accused of kidnapping him.

A mother whose daughter went missing seven years ago wants a dedicated garda unit to be established to lead investigations into disappeared people, writes John Breslin.

The Cork couple wanted in the United States for allegedly abducting their grandson have refused to comment publicly on the matter.

EU legislation coming into force on August 1 will provide greater protection to a parent who has been granted custody of children who are abducted by their former partner or family members.

US police and the FBI have reportedly issued a warrant for the arrest of an Irish couple accused of kidnapping their nine-year-old grandson.