Tralee raising reward fund for return of snatched child

A FUND-RAISING campaign is underway in Tralee to come up with a reward for the return of a 20-month-old local child, who has been snatched by his Romanian father.

The Irish embassy in Rome is also being asked to help find Joshua O’Sullivan, who has not been seen by his mother, Mary O’Sullivan, 20, since her partner took him from her in Naples three months ago.

Ms O’Sullivan is back in Tralee with her eight-month-old daughter, Rosa.

Her partner’s family are gypsies and, as they are not entitled to social welfare in Italy, Ms O’Sullivan believes someone would come forward with information on Joshua’s whereabouts, if money was put up.

“I know they badly need money,” she said.

Italian police have scaled down their search for Joshua, but his Tralee grandmother, Ann O’Sullivan, yesterday said she and Mary were confident he would yet be found.

“We’re as hopeful as we could possibly be. This has been a terrible time for us. All we want is to get him back home again to Tralee,” Ann added.

“Mary is very emotional about the whole thing. Rosa is the image of Joshua and every time Mary looks at Rosa she can see Joshua in her.”

Tralee Town Council is also supporting the O’Sullivans and is contacting the Rome embassy and Irish MEPs, who might be able to help.

Cllr Kieran Moriarty, who is organising a fund-raising disco in the town, said it was important the council let Italian police and Interpol know they are interested in the case.

A trust fund has been opened at the Bank of Ireland, Castle Street, Tralee, account number, 12710771.

As well as needing funds for a reward, Mary O’Sullivan, who is living on social welfare, will need money to go to Italy to bring Joshua home, if he is found.