Child abduction
- Published on: 7 December 2020
- Last updated on: 7 November 2024
- Parental child abduction
- Countries not party to the Hague Convention
- Central Authority for Child Abduction
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The abduction of a child abroad is a devastating experience for any parent. If you find yourself in this situation, we can offer help and support.
Parental child abduction
The Hague Convention on International Child Abduction applies between certain countries (including Ireland) aims to ensure that an abducted child is returned to the country where they normally live, so that issues of custody and guardianship can be decided by the courts of that country.
If your child has been abducted by their other parent and taken outside the State, you may be able to apply under the Hague Convention to ensure your child is returned to Ireland while the Irish courts decide on custody and access issues.
However, if your child has been abducted within Ireland, the Hague Convention doesn’t apply as it only deals with cases of inter-country abduction.
Countries not party to the Hague Convention
Where a child has been taken against the wishes of a parent to a country that is not a signatory to the Hague Convention on Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, the Department of Foreign Affairs has responsibility for providing assistance to parents who request it. See the list of signatory countries.
In cases of dispute or removal to a country that is not a signatory to the Hague Convention, parents should be aware that there is no international legal system in place that contains a practical mechanism open to that parent to seek the return of their child. As a consequence, the actions that the Department of Foreign Affairs can take to assist the parent are limited to the provision of consular assistance.
Where a child has been taken to another jurisdiction without the consent of one parent to a non-Hague country, the Department of Foreign Affairs strongly advises hiring a local lawyer in the jurisdiction where the child has been taken. You can contact the Consular Assistance Unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs which will be able to assist with sharing a list of lawyers and providing consular assistance.
The Department of Foreign Affairs provides consular assistance within the remit of its Consular Assistance Charter.
The Consular Assistance Unit can be contacted with the details below.
Consular Assistance Unit, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Address:
- Department of Foreign Affairs, Knockmaun House 42-47, Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2, D02 TN83
- Email:
- Telephone:
-
+353 1 408 2527
In the event that you are contacting from outside Ireland, you can contact the local Irish Embassy or Consulate.
Further information
Central Authority for Child Abduction
The Central Authority for Child Abduction at the Department of Justice is the national authority in Ireland for dealing with cases under the Hague Convention.
They can advise you on what to do if your child has been taken abroad without your consent.
You can contact them at:
Central Authority for Child Abduction
- Address:
- Department of Justice, Bishop’s Square, Redmond's Hill, Dublin 2, D02 TD99
- Telephone:
-
014790200
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