The Department of Justice dealt with 94 new cases of child abduction last year, according to figures released today.
The cases involved 154 children, representing an increase of 24 cases on 2004.
A further 33 cases were carried forward from 2004 meaning the Department's Central Authority for Child Abduction processed 127 cases in total last year.
The figures include 70 cases concerning abductions into the State from other countries and 57 abductions from the State to other countries.
In four incoming cases, the High Court ordered the return of children to other countries; in six cases, the Court refused the return of a child. In 10 cases the children were either returned voluntarily or the parties reached an agreement.
Six applications were withdrawn, one case was forwarded to the Health Service Executive, one applicant did not qualify for legal aid, and in another case assistance was given under EU legislation for a child from another EU state in foster care here.
A further 39 cases were awaiting resolution at the end of the year. One foreign access order was registered and one application was refused as the father did not have rights to custody.
Of the outgoing cases, 10 foreign courts ordered the return of the children, while in six cases the foreign courts refused the return of the child.
In three cases the children were returned voluntarily or the parties reached an agreement. Twelve applications concerning abduction out of the State were withdrawn, and 20 cases were awaiting resolution at the end of the year.
In addition six applications were refused by the central authority in the states concerned.
Of the cases dealt with by the Central Authority in 2005, 51 per cent involved the United Kingdom, 38 per cent involved other EU countries, 8 per cent the United States and 3 per cent other states.
Since 1991, 1,095 cases involving 1,806 children have been dealt with by the Department.