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Child Trafficking : Republic of Ireland declared among worst E.U. states for controls
An international report issued by a child protection organisation (Ecpat) says that the Republic of Ireland was being used as a transit point for trafficking to the UK, the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic and the ferry crossings from the Republic to Wales being attractive gateways for traffickers
The report said that the Republic of Ireland was among the worst performing states in the EU with children as young as three years old being bought and sold.
Although no reliable figures exist for the numbers trafficked in Ireland, victims’ groups warn it is a growing problem and are particularly concerned about the number of children who go missing from Irish state care – 441 over the past 10 years.
Jillian Van Turnhout, chief executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance in Ireland said: We are finding that some children are actually trafficked into Ireland and then moved up across the border into the north of Ireland or across by ferry links to Wales into the UK.
“It concerns us that Ireland would be seen to be a weak point in a chain. We need to stand together. It is a global issue. We need, as countries, to stand together.
Campaigners have called on the Irish government to introduce clear systems to help children who have been trafficked and those at risk.
Source: BBC News
