Irelands Missing Children, Source Grok.

Missing children Ireland

Recent data and reports highlight a concerning issue regarding missing children in Ireland, particularly those in State care and unaccompanied minors seeking international protection. Below is a summary of key information on recent cases and broader context, based on available sources.

Recent Missing Children Cases in Ireland (2025)

The following are specific cases of children reported missing in Ireland in early 2025, as detailed in public appeals by An Garda Síochána:

• Tyler Berry (14 years old): Missing from Claregalway, Co Galway, since April 21, 2025. Last seen around 8:40 pm in the Claregalway area. Described as 5’5” tall, slim build, with light brown hair and blue eyes. Gardaí are concerned for his well-being. Contact Galway Garda Station at 091 538000 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.
• Nawal Nor (17 years old): Missing from Dundalk, Co Louth, since April 14, 2025. Described as 5’9” tall, medium build, with black hair, brown eyes, and typically wearing a nose ring. Contact Gardaí for information.
• Muhammad Haris (13 years old): Missing from Clontarf, Dublin 3, since April 13, 2025. Described as 5’3” tall, medium build, with black hair, last seen wearing a beige sweatshirt, blue jeans, and a white cap. Gardaí are concerned for his well-being. Contact Clontarf Garda Station at 01 6664800 or the Garda Confidential Line.
• Vu Thi Thao Vi (15 years old) and Chu Dieu Linh (16 years old): Missing from Santry, Dublin 13, since April 11, 2025. Vu Thi Thao Vi is 150 cm tall with a slim build. Contact Gardaí for details.
• Jake Hafford (17 years old): Missing from Sligo since February 18, 2025, with a possible sighting in Longford. Described as 5’11” tall, slim build, with short brown hair and blue eyes. Contact Sligo Garda Station at 071 915 7000 or the Garda Confidential Line.
• Brooke Kennedy (16 years old): Missing from Limerick City since March 11, 2025. Last seen in the Garryowen area on March 10, 2025, around 5 pm. Contact Gardaí for details.
• Destiny Dempsey (14 years old): Missing from Navan, Co Meath, since March 7, 2025. Last seen in Navan around 1:30 pm. Described as 5’3” tall with short brown hair and green eyes, known to frequent Dublin City Centre. Contact Navan Garda Station at 046 9079930 or the Garda Confidential Line.

Broader Context of Missing Children in Ireland

• Scale of the Issue: In 2023, 4,278 missing person reports were filed, with 1,731 involving children under 17, the highest in a decade. As of December 2023, 834 people, including children, remained missing. In 2024, reports indicated 317 children aged 17 or younger were missing, with some believed to be refugees displaced from their families upon arrival in Ireland.
• Children in State Care: A significant number of missing children are in the care of Tusla, Ireland’s Child and Family Agency. In 2024, 34 children were reported missing from Tusla’s care, including 23 unaccompanied minors seeking international protection. Of these, one has been missing since 2022, 13 since 2023, and nine in 2024. Many of these children are believed to have left Ireland to join family members elsewhere, but concerns remain about potential exploitation or trafficking.
• Unaccompanied Minors: From 2017 to 2023, 62 asylum-seeking children disappeared from State care, with 44 no longer searched for as they reached 18. Only 16 of these cases have active Garda appeals, raising concerns about inconsistent handling of migrant children’s cases compared to Irish children.
• High-Profile Case: The case of Kyran Durnin, an 8-year-old boy missing since August 2024 and presumed dead, has drawn significant attention. Gardaí upgraded his case to a murder investigation, highlighting systemic issues in tracking missing children, as he may have been missing for up to two years before being reported.
• Child Trafficking Concerns: Experts have raised alarms about child trafficking and exploitation, particularly for children in State care. A 2023 report by University College Dublin’s Sexual Exploitation Research Programme noted that some children missing from Tusla care may be victims of organized sexual exploitation. In Europe, one in six missing children experiences physical or sexual abuse during their absence.

Systemic Issues and Criticisms

• Lack of Transparency: There is criticism over the lack of detailed data on missing children, including outcomes (e.g., found alive, dead, or trafficked). Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has called for annual reports detailing reasons for disappearances and outcomes.
• Gardaí and Tusla Coordination: While Tusla and Gardaí have a joint protocol for missing children, gaps remain. For example, not all missing children, particularly unaccompanied minors, are featured in public appeals or on global databases like https://globalmissingkids.org. A 2009 Garda review recommended clarifying why some cases are publicized and others are not, but this issue persists.
• Vulnerable Populations: Migrant children and those in State care are overrepresented among missing persons. The lack of legal guardians for unaccompanied minors often leaves them without advocates, increasing their vulnerability.
• Public Sentiment: Posts on X reflect public outrage over missing children, particularly those in State care, with some alleging systemic failures and lack of media attention. However, these claims are inconclusive and require further investigation.

What Can Be Done?

• Public Assistance: Gardaí urge anyone with information to contact local Garda stations, the Garda Confidential Line (1800 666 111), or any Garda station. DNA samples from families can aid in resolving cases, as seen in Operation Runabay, which identified missing persons using DNA.
• Awareness and Reporting: Tusla and Gardaí encourage reporting missing children immediately, as delays can hinder investigations. The public can access missing persons posters and alerts via https://www.missingkids.org or Garda websites.
• Policy Recommendations: Advocates call for better coordination between Gardaí, Tusla, and other agencies, increased transparency in data, and stronger safeguards to prevent exploitation, especially for unaccompanied minors.