Gardai believe at least 20 children missing

At least 20 children in the State are missing, according to the Garda.

These include Robert Holohan (11), missing from his home in Midleton, Co Cork, since Tuesday.

They range in age from one year to 17, with the majority in the 12 to 15 years age group.

Three have been missing since last April, three since last May, two since June, two since July, one since August, four since October, three since November, and one since last month.

Though the Garda press office has details of 20 missing children, a spokesman pointed out that the the office only receives details of those whose families or guardians want publicity.

He said the youngest, Michael Doyle (2), missing from Tullow, Co Carlow since July, is thought to be in Britain.

Among those who went missing last year is a significant proportion of non-nationals (six) who arrived in the State as unaccompanied minors and who were in the care of the East Coast Area Health Board. Three of these, from Moldov, who went missing in October from their care accommodation, are thought to have gone to Britain.

All boys, two were aged 15 and one 13, when they went missing.

Mr Paul Gilligan, chief executive of the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC), said, however, that the Republic had an unusually low number of missing children compared with other jurisdictions and a good record in locating such children.

"Most children who go missing turn up very quickly," he said. "The majority who go missing are running away from residential care or are abducted by estranged parents. I don't want to minimise those cases but want to underline that this most recent case in Cork really is very unusual in the Irish context."

The key thing, he said, was that parents should take a balanced approach in keeping their children safe. They should avoid over worrying them.

Recently published ISPCC guidelines, Out Alone, say in most situations children under eight years of age should not be out on their own. "Even when out playing with other children they need to be kept in the care and sight of an adult or a much older child who is mature and trustworthy."

The key dilemma, Mr Gilligan added, was to judge between ensuring children know how to stay safe without scaring them.

He pointed out it could never be seen as unreasonable to allow an 11 year-old out on his or her bike on their own. Copies of Out Alone are available from ISPCC on (01) 679 4944.