The mother of two kidnapped children has urged the Government to issue an Interpol notice in order to help find them. 

Mandy Kelly has not seen her young sons, Zayn and Kareem, since their father refused to return them to her after a holiday in Egypt in 2022. 

Despite her pleas, Ms Kelly said her ex will “stop at nothing” to keep her children from her and she has been forced to turn to the courts.  

“In June, I attended the High Court of Ireland as a lay litigant,” she told The Hard Shoulder. 

“I was issued an order in exceptional circumstances by the issuing of new Irish passports for my two sons. 

“The Judge in question issued the order due to her concerns regarding the welfare of my two children.” 

“I can't put into words what it's been like – having to grieve over your children who are still alive is just unthinkable.”

Irish mother Mandy Kelly, whose children were abducted by their father in Egypt, is ‘optimistic’ children will soon be returned after a landmark court… pic.twitter.com/e7Zrxz8i8i

— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) August 6, 2024

Ms Kelly said the order was a “positive step” and Egyptian authorities similarly believe she should be reunited with her sons. 

“Unfortunately, despite having been granted custody by the Irish High Court and obtaining an order for my sons to be returned to Ireland, my estranged husband, Mr Gamal, remains defiant and in contempt of the order of an Irish court,” she said.  

“Likewise, having been awarded custody in Egypt in July, my estranged husband has not returned the children to me.” 

Interpol

Ms Kelly believes her husband thinks he is “above the law” and she has no idea where her children are. 

“My custody order is unable to be enforced because, unfortunately, we are in a position now that I do not know the address of where my children are residing,” she said. 

“This is why I’m seeking help from An Garda Síochána and the Minister for Justice. 

“I’m seeking their assistance to pursue an Interpol Yellow notice for the international community to be aware of the fact that my two sons, Zayn and Kareem, that they have been kidnapped and that I have not seen them in 957 days. 

“Additionally, I am pleading that a Red Notice concerning my ex-husband should be circulated given the duration of his defiance of both Irish and Egyptian court orders.” 

Ms Kelly said she is “deeply concerned” about the wellbeing of Zayn and Kareem and she has endured some “horrific days” since they were kidnapped. 

The case of Zayn and Kareem has been raised twice by the Tánaiste with Cairo and Ms Kelly said Egyptian authorities are “horrified” by what she is enduring.

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Main image: Mandy Kelly and her sons Zayn and Kareem. Image: Supplied.