Vol. 502 No. 1
52 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of child abductions reported to the Garda in 1998; the number reported to date in 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7125/99]
I refer the Deputy to my detailed reply to Parliamentary Question No. 3 on Thursday, 4 February which sets out the details in relation to the high number of suspicious approaches made to children which were reported to the Garda over the past few months. I am assured by the Garda authorities that all such reports are treated very seriously, and are fully investigated. I should at this stage, point out that the classification of such incidents depends on the outcome of each investigation, and the determination of whether a crime was committed at all in some of these cases or whether there was the intent to commit a crime. All reports, as I have said, are being taken seriously and being fully investigated by the Garda and I understand from the Garda Síochána that the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation is co-ordinating all incidents of suspicious approaches made to children.
In relation to the actual number of child abductions reported to the Garda in 1998 I am informed that the total number was three. I am further informed by the Garda Authorities that there was one reported abduction to date in 1999. In each of these cases the abduction resulted from a situation of conflict over custody of the children. I would also refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 346 of 16 February 1999 which gives details of the one attempted child abduction by a stranger which occurred in the State in 1998.
