Appeal court orders children's return to mother in France

Their Irish father had concerns about one of his sons having to wear a facemask, as part of efforts to counter the Covid-19 pandemic, while attending school in France.

In its judgement the three-judge court comprised of Ms Justice Mary Faherty, Mr Justice Maurice Collins, and Ms Justice Teresa Pilkington dismissed all grounds of the father's appeal.

A decision that two children, whose Irish-based father refused to allow them go back to their mother in France over the mandatory wearing of masks in French schools, must be returned to their home has been upheld by the Court of Appeal.

The court heard that the two children were born in France, where they normally reside, to an Irish father and a French mother. The children, two boys who are both in primary school, and their parents cannot be named for legal reasons.