Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
Updated 22:54
A CHILD HAS been removed, and since returned, to a Roma family in the Athlone.
Gardaí have confirmed that a two-year-old boy was taken from his parents under childcare legislation last night and placed in HSE care.
Enquiries were carried out regarding the toddler’s identity, and he was returned to his family’s care this morning.
A garda spokesperson said that officers were satisfied that the child was back with his real family, and confirmed that no further enquiries were taking place in relation to the case.
Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, the father of the child in question said that gardaí had called to the family home early yesterday evening.
The father said he was asked questions about the child’s appearance. Concerns had been raised over the toddler’s identity, as he has fair hair and features, in contrast with the rest of the family.
The father said that he had a grandparent who also had fair hair.
The family co-operated fully with gardaí when told the child would be taken into care for the night while his identity was confirmed, and the father was informed this morning he could pick his son up from a local centre.
Tallaght case
The news comes just 48 hours after a seven-year-old girl was taken from a Roma family in Tallaght. DNA tests are currently being carried out to determine the identity of the girl in the Dublin case.
Described as a seven-year-old with blonde hair and blue eyes, the girl was removed from the address by gardaí using the powers granted under the Child Care Act.
Last week, a young girl, named Maria, was discovered in a Roma camp in the central town of Farsala, Greece.
That case has prompted a global reaction with thousands of calls being made to a Greek charity about Maria’s possible origins.
Pavee Point, which represents the Traveller and Roma communities in Ireland, has said that whatever the explanation for the Irish children being taken into care “this reaction needs examining”.
The group says it’s “very hard to know what’s going on in this hysteria”.
This article was originally posted at 11.59am.
They must of heard the news about Pat Kenny!
Got to laugh at the picture
“Baboons (picture posed by models)”
Model Baboons eh?
Yeah… the shouldn’t insult Baboon’s intelligence by comparing them to models :P
Skittin!
A baboon refused to pass the Dutchie….
The correct term for a group of baboons is a flange
It’s not, a troop is the correct term. But flange has become quite common in recent years and bizarrely it originates from that not the 9 o clock news sketch with Rowan Atkinson dressed up as a monkey – they chose to use flange over troop as they thought it sounded funnier and the term has since appeared even in academic papers!
We’ll stick with flange
Ya, i watch QI too, I do prefer flange though
Is that because of their pinkish/orange piles?
Intelligent animals, maybe going on strike for freedom..
What’s wrong? No one said anything about the government yet
Thats because it was the Banks…
Darren, that’s because Baboons are an intelligent species as compared to the Dodos in Government and their supporters?
They’ve heard how much Gareth Bale is being sold for.
Rise of the Planet of the Baboons just doesn’t have the same ring to it…
Picture posed by models lol …I hope thats a piss take lol
It’s no wonder they needed a break, sure they’ve only had 4 days off in 20 years.
As for the pic, poor Glenda Gilson really isn’t doing too well for herself these days.
Just a theory but as they are probably all closely related, and sharing the same piece of land for a long time, did the subject of wills and inheritance happen to come up by any chance?
Somebody must have thrown in some muffins into them to eat!
No doubt!
Their keepers should get them a stereo with some Pink Floyd, dark side of the moon.
Order a couple of pizzas.
Tommow they will be right as rain.
They must have mistook a few holland jerseys as an orange parade and acted accordingly
Maybe….? something to do with….? realizing that….they live on a small island? And not in the wild? Anyone? Anyone? Beuller? Beuller?
Maybe it was the Thunder and Lightning.
Their taking strike action for the shit food that they are been given
Are the models in baboon costumes?
I’m just gutted someone got there before me with the Pat Kenny gag!!
I’ve solved the puzzle!!!!! They were shown a photo of the attendees at the Council of State meeting
In the Aras last Monday. Some scary looking faces there.
They probably saw what they’re own @r$e looked like for the first time.
Obviously an anti-Christ sighting á la ‘Damien from The Omen’.
He’s amongst us.
It’s bugging me so much that we’ll never know the true answer!
I find behavior like this in animals so interesting and id absolutely love to know what caused it.
Did anyone suggest a “paranormal” cause? Just because you’ve never seen/experienced it doesn’t mean they’re not real!
Also people say animals have a sixth sense!
these bamboons must have heard about property tax:-)
Ya they must have gotten the 7-day warning letter! LoL
IMF panicking baboons again sounds familiar
These are intelligent animals, and most likely have a very effective means of communicating complex information among themselves. Given that, perhaps they have just learned of a pending disaster looming over them. …
Did they not keep a diary of why they acted like that before??
Pub crawl. Shark attack!!!
Damien.
It begins.
A few bananas for the boys always sorts me out…. Nothing more really
have your say