A Cork mother pleaded last night for the return of her four-year-old daughter after her estranged partner failed to bring the girl home at the weekend.
The father, a maths teacher at a school in Fermoy, Co Cork, collected his daughter on Saturday morning and was due to return her to her mother in Douglas Park on Sunday evening.
Gardai said the child had not been abducted officially and unless the father and daughter leave the jurisdiction no such complaint will be made.
The man had not been at work over the past few days and his whereabouts were uncertain. Gardai believe he collected the girl in a red Toyota car.
The girl's mother said: "I love her and I miss her. I don't know where they are and I'm asking her father to ring me urgently.
"I am heartbroken and worried sick. I never expected [the father] to do something like this, although I know he adores her."