Figures released today show that there were 65 child abduction cases, involving 96 children, in Ireland last year.
The figures, which were released by the Central Authority for Child Abduction in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, show that this is a decrease of six on 2000.
The total number of cases dealt with during the year was 102, including 36 cases carried forward from 2000 and one which was reactivated. These are divided between abductions into the State from other countries (52 incoming cases) and abductions from the State to other countries (50 outgoing).
In 11 of the incoming cases the High Court ordered the return of the children; in three cases the Court refused the return of the child; in 10 cases the children were either returned voluntarily or the parties reached an agreement; 13 applications were withdrawn and 12 cases were awaiting resolution at the end of the year. In addition, three access orders were registered.
In 12 of the outgoing cases, foreign courts ordered the return of the children; in two the foreign court refused the return of a child; in eight cases the children were either returned voluntarily or the parties reached and agreement; 18 applications were withdrawn and 10 cases were awaiting resolution at the end of the year.
Of the cases dealt with by the Irish Central Authority in 2001, 73 per cent involved the UK, 9 per cent involved the remaining EU members states and 12 per cent the US.
In the period - October 1991 to December 2001 - of the operation of the Child Abduction Enforcement of Custody Orders Act, 1991, the total number of cases which have been the subject of application to the Central Authority in 793 and the number of children involved is 1,344.
