Almost 2,000 Irish people needed consular assistance in 2025

As well as missing persons and victims of crime, cases dealt with by the Department of Foreign Affairs included serious injuries, arrests, mental health issues, and deaths abroad. Picture: iStock

The Department of Foreign Affairs dealt with almost 2,000 cases in 2025 where Irish citizens abroad needed consular assistance with everything from being the victims of crime to people going missing.

It was the fourth year in a row that the number of such cases went up. The 1,981 cases in 2025 also included serious injuries, arrests, mental health issues, and deaths abroad. The figure does not include the ongoing response to assist Irish citizens caught up in crises in the Middle East.

The department said:

• 2025 saw the highest number of deaths of Irish citizens overseas reported to the department;
• More than one in five of all new consular cases in 2025 related to the death of an Irish citizen overseas;
• 2025 also saw a significant increase in prisoner cases (up by 48%) and an increase of 13% in the numbers of citizens presenting with issues relating to their mental health and wellbeing.

Foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee said: “In addition to an overall increase in case numbers, consular teams continue to provide assistance in a high number of long-running, complex cases.

“I am keenly aware that these cases are particularly challenging for our citizens and their families.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our key partners for their vital contributions and support to Ireland’s Consular Assistance Programme.

“The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas, Crosscare, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, and Safe Home Ireland continue to provide invaluable work in supporting citizens and their families who experience difficult and, in some cases, tragic situations overseas.”

She said staff in Irish embassies and consulates, as well as department officials, authenticated 59,000 Irish documents for business or personal use overseas, and issued more than 2,400 civil letters of freedom to enable Irish citizens to marry abroad.

The department is also continuing to undertake evacuations from Gaza as well as supporting a number of citizens to depart from Iran and Israel.

Ms McEntee said: “My department continues to provide assistance to Irish citizens and dependents caught in crises overseas.

“I know that a small number of Irish citizens and dependents remain in Gaza and my department, through our missions in the region, continues to advocate on behalf of those that have not yet been able to leave.

“My department has continued to strengthen our preparedness for such emergencies and has deepened our co-operation with international partners in order to ensure cohesive and comprehensive crisis response.”