The mother of a 10-year-old boy who has been brought from his home in the US to Ireland by his grandparents has issued an appeal for the return of her child.
The woman, who is Irish-born but moved to Winthrop Harbor in Illinois some years ago, told Cork's 96FM radio that her parents took her son to lunch last Thursday.
According to the Chicago Tribune, when the grandparents did not return with him, she alerted the police. The police chief said a judge had issued warrants for aggravated kidnapping and had set a $2 million bail in the event of their arrest. A Garda spokesman confirmed yesterday that US police contacted them at the weekend to establish the boy's whereabouts and confirm that he was safe and well.
Cobh solicitor Mr Don Ryan, for the boy's grandparents, yesterday issued a brief statement on their behalf in which he said the couple had acted in the best interests of their grandchild. Mr Ryan added that a more detailed statement may be issued today.
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