There were 70 new cases of child abduction involving a total of 97 children last year, an increase of four cases over 2003 levels according to figures released by the Department of Justice today.
According to the figures released by the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, a total of 94 cases were dealt with last year which included 24 cases carried forward from 2003.
These were divided between 49 incoming cases, abductions coming into the State, and 45 outgoing cases abductions from the State to other countries.
The High Court ordered the return of the children in 11 of the incoming cases and refused the return of a child in three cases.
In another 11 cases the children were either returned voluntarily or the parents reached an agreement, 5 applications were withdrawn.
In addition, 1 foreign access order was registered, and 1 access application was refused. 1 further application was refused by the Central Authority as the children were located in another jurisdiction.
Foreign courts ordered the return of children in 9 of the outgoing cases and refused the return of a child in 3 cases.
The children were either returned voluntarily or the parties reached an agreement in 9 cases and 6 applications were withdrawn In addition, 2 applications were refused by the Central Authority in the States concerned.
32 cases (both incoming and outgoing) were awaiting resolution at the end of the year.
The figures also revealed that 66 per cent of new cases last year involved the United Kingdom, 9% involved the United States, 7% involved other EU countries and 18% involved other states.