Gardaí have confirmed that two children who boarded a train to Dublin from Kerry on Sunday have been found safe and well in Dublin city.
Searches began yesterday for missing children Donnacha Ireland (15) and Katie Mangan (12), who were seen in Killarney on Sunday boarding the 5.55pm train to Dublin via Mallow.
Speaking with Morning Ireland, Donnacha Ireland's father Andrew recalled hearing the news the pair had been found safe in the early hours.
“We heard about 1am. We were walking the streets and got the phonecall that not only they’d been spotted, they were safe and actually in the process of making their way home again,” he said.
Asked why the two had left, he said: “They felt the need to go and free themselves and that’s what they did, they hopped up and went to Dublin, just to go, just to be there.”
He said that apart from being tired, the two children seemed to be in good health.
“They don’t seem to be any the worse for wear at all. Maybe a bit of lack of sleep, maybe a bit cold. I’ll say our nerves are completely shredded.”
They were spotted at 8.45pm at Heuston Station in Dublin on Monday, prompting a search effort in the capital.
Mr Ireland said the response from friends and family was huge, with numbers walking the streets and handing out fliers. He also thanked the investigating gardaí in Dublin, who he said were “beyond phenomenal” in helping to locate the children.
