Children’s ombudsman begins independent inquiry into Roma child cases

The investigation into the removal of two Roma children from their families has begun following the publication of the terms of reference of the Ombudsman for Children’s inquiry.

Emily Logan and her team have been tasked with conducting a wide-ranging examination into the circumstances of the two cases, in Dublin and Athlone, at the end of October. The children, aged seven and two, were taken from their families by gardaí using emergency powers under section 12 of the Child Care Act based on concerns over their identities.

The seven-year-old girl, fair haired and blue-eyed, was removed from her Tallaght home on Oct 21 and returned two days later after DNA tests proved she was the child of the purported parents.