Child abduction cases up 18% in year

The number of children abducted into and out of Ireland during 2006 jumped by 18%, official figures showed today.

There were at total of 111 cases involving 160 children, compared to 94 the previous year.

Overall, the Central Authority for Child Abduction processed 170 cases in 2006, including 59 unresolved cases carried forward from 2005.

These were 111 abductions into the state from other countries (incoming cases) and 59 abductions from the state to other countries (outgoing cases).

Of the new applications received by the Abduction Authority in 2006, 43% involved the United Kingdom, 33% involved other EU member states, 12% involved the USA and 12% involved other contracting states.

In the incoming cases, the High Court ordered the return of the children in eight cases while it refused applications in two cases.

In nine cases, the children were either returned voluntarily or the parties reached an agreement.

A total of 16 applications were withdrawn.

A further 33 cases were awaiting resolution at the end of the year.

Among the outgoing cases, foreign courts ordered the return of the children in seven cases.

Seventeen cases were awaiting resolution at the end of the year.

Up to December 2006 a total number of 1,206 applications have been made to the Central Authority, involving 1,966 children.

The Child Abduction and Enforcement of Custody Orders Act 1991 has been in operation in Ireland since 1991.