At total of 160 children were abducted last year, according to the Central Authority for Child Abduction.
The authority handled 111 cases of abduction which involved 160 children, representing an increase of 17 cases on 2005, according to figures released by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform today.
In total, 170 cases were processed by the authority in 2006, including 59 cases carried forward from 2005. These are divided between abductions into the State from other countries (111 incoming cases) and abductions from the State to other countries (59 outgoing cases).
With regard to incoming cases, the High Court ordered the return of children in eight cases. It refused the return of children in two cases.
Children were either returned voluntarily or the parties reached an agreement in nine cases; 16 applications were withdrawn; one applicant did not qualify for legal aid; three judicial orders for return by consent were made; and 33 cases were awaiting resolution at the end of the year.
In outgoing cases, seven foreign courts ordered the return of the children while three courts refused the return of a child.
In three cases the children were returned voluntarily or the parties reached an agreement; six applications were withdrawn; two judicial orders for return by consent were made; in one case assistance under Article 56 of the Brussels II bis Regulation, dealing with placement of a child from another EU member state in foster care here, was given; and 17 cases were awaiting resolution at the end of the year.
Of the new applications received by the Irish Central Authority in 2006, 43 per cent involved the United Kingdom, 33 per cent involved other EU member states, 12 per cent involved the United States and 12 per cent involved other states.