Ireland saw 147 new cases of child abduction in 2012

The Department of Justice dealt with 147 new cases of child abduction last year. That is 5 more than in 2011.

The 147 new cases involved 192 children, 64 cases related to applications into the State from other countries while 83 concerned applications from Ireland to other countries.

46% of the new cases involved the United Kingdom, 10% involved Poland, 8% involved Latvia, and 24% related to other European countries. A further 12% related to countries outside of Europe.

Minister Alan Shatter said parental child abduction remains a worrying problem. He said mediation remains the best way for estranged parents to resolve their differences.