Duo questioned after children found

A MAN and a woman are being questioned on suspicion of false imprisonment and kidnapping after four missing children from the Republic were found in the North after an international police investigation.

Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) located the children “safe and well” at lunchtime yesterday.

The PSNI said a 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment, kidnapping and handling stolen goods.

It was not clear what the suspected handling stolen goods offences relate to, or whether they are specifically connected to this case.

A female, also 30, was detained on suspicion of false imprisonment and kidnapping.

It is understood police received an anonymous call that adults and children had been seen fitting photographs and descriptions released by gardaí.

The PSNI conducted inquiries and moved in at about 1pm.

The children were taken into the care of social services in the North, where they will be spoken to about what happened. Police said they “appeared to be safe and well”.

The PSNI said the children had not yet been reunited with their family because police inquiries are still ongoing.

Gardaí launched a missing persons investigation on Friday and alerted their colleagues in the North and in Britain as well as the international police body, Interpol.

A Garda spokesman said they wanted to thank British police forces, particularly the PSNI, for their assistance.

The PSNI said they will continue to work with their colleagues in the gardaí in relation to the matter.