Ireland Seeks Brazil’s Assistance in Contacting Missing Child’s Father – The Irish Times

Search Intensifies for Missing Dublin Boy; Father in Brazil to be Questioned

Dublin, Ireland – September 5, 2025 – Gardaí are intensifying their efforts to locate the remains of a boy who has been missing for approximately four years.The search, focused on a site in Donabate, North County Dublin, has expanded significantly as authorities pursue new leads in the heartbreaking case. Simultaneously, law enforcement officials are preparing to engage with the boy’s father, currently residing in Brazil, to gather further information.

Expanding Search Area and Initial Findings

The current search is centered around Portrane Road in Donabate, where Investigators initially focused on a specific location identified by a witness, but have since broadened the area due to a lack of immediate findings. Cadaver dogs have been utilized in the search, which began earlier this week and is anticipated to continue throughout the weekend, according to sources close to the examination. Despite the extensive search, no remains have yet been discovered.

International Cooperation with Brazil

Gardaí are seeking to conduct a detailed interview with the boy’s father, who is originally from the west of Ireland but now lives in Brazil. While initial contact has been made via telephone,authorities believe a more in-depth discussion is necessary. Leveraging a mutual legal assistance agreement between Ireland and Brazil, Gardaí are exploring options for securing his cooperation, including dispatching a team to Brazil or requesting Brazilian authorities to conduct the interview locally, or arranging a video conference. Authorities have stressed that the interview request does not automatically imply any suspicion of wrongdoing. “Just because we want to speak to him in more detail, doesn’t mean he’s a suspect,” a Garda source stated.

complex Timeline and Tusla’s Involvement

The child, who would now be seven years old, was previously in the care of the State from birth. He was briefly reunited with his parents after they reconsidered placing him for adoption. Tusla, the Child and family Agency, concluded its direct involvement with the family in 2020. Though, recent inquiries into a social welfare payment prompted Tusla to contact Gardaí last Friday with concerns regarding the boy’s welfare, sparking the current investigation.

criticism of Tusla’s Response

The Ombudsman for Children, Dr. Niall Muldoon, has publicly criticized Tusla’s decision to refer the case to its National Review Panel, citing the panel’s lack of statutory power and previous acknowledgement that it was “not fit for purpose”. Dr. Muldoon expressed his shock that a child previously known to tusla could have been missing for four years,emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. Currently, Tusla is preparing to conduct wellbeing checks on approximately 38,000 children whose cases were closed during the 2020-2021 Covid-19 lockdowns, following a directive from Minister for Children Norma Foley.

Financial Support for Tusla

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe announced on Friday that the government will evaluate the necessary resources and support for Tusla to effectively carry out these wellbeing checks. Last year,tusla’s budget was increased by €145 million,recognizing the agency’s vital work.

Did You Know? Ireland’s child welfare system has undergone notable scrutiny in recent years,leading to increased investment and reforms to improve safeguarding measures.

Pro Tip: If you have concerns about the welfare of a child, contact Tusla directly or report your concerns to local authorities.

Key Fact	Detail
boy’s Age (If Alive)	Seven years old
Missing Since	Approximately four years ago
Search Location	Portrane Road, Donabate, Co. Dublin
Father’s Location	Brazil
Agency Involved	Tusla, The Child and Family Agency

Understanding Mutual Legal Assistance Agreements

Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) are formal agreements between countries to cooperate in gathering and exchanging information for use in legal proceedings.These treaties are crucial in cases involving international elements, enabling law enforcement agencies to overcome jurisdictional hurdles and secure evidence or testimony from individuals located abroad. According to the U.S.Department of State, MLATs cover a wide range of assistance, including serving legal documents, taking testimony, and obtaining evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Missing Boy Case

• What is the primary focus of the current investigation? The investigation is focused on locating the remains of the missing boy and determining the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
• Why is Gardaí seeking assistance from Brazil? Gardaí are seeking to interview the boy’s father, who is currently residing in Brazil, to gather further information about the case.
• What role did Tusla play in this case? Tusla was involved with the family when the boy was first born, but concluded their direct involvement in 2020. They have since flagged concerns about the boy’s welfare.
• What is the National Review Panel and why is it under scrutiny? The National Review Panel is a body within Tusla tasked with reviewing serious cases involving children. It is indeed facing criticism for its lack of statutory power and previous concerns about its effectiveness.
• Is the boy’s father considered a suspect? Authorities have stated that requesting an interview does not automatically imply suspicion of wrongdoing.
• What are wellbeing checks and why are they being conducted? Wellbeing checks are proactive assessments of the safety and welfare of children, and are being conducted on cases closed during the Covid-19 lockdowns.
• How is the Irish government supporting Tusla? The government has increased Tusla’s budget and is currently evaluating additional resources to support their work.

What are your thoughts on the role of international cooperation in these types of investigations? Do you believe more resources should be allocated to child welfare agencies?

What potential legal challenges might arise if the father is located in Brazil but unwilling to cooperate with Irish authorities regarding the child’s welfare?

Ireland Seeks Brazil’s Assistance in Contacting Missing Child’s Father

Urgent International Appeal for Child Welfare

Ireland has formally requested assistance from Brazilian authorities in locating and contacting the father of a young child currently at the centre of a complex custody and welfare concern.The case, reported extensively by The Irish Times, highlights the challenges of international family law and the critical need for cross-border cooperation in safeguarding children’s rights. This situation involves a missing parent, international child abduction concerns, and the complexities of Hague Convention enforcement.

The Case Details: A timeline of Events

While details are being carefully managed to protect the child’s privacy, key information released indicates:

The child, a [age redacted] year old, is currently in the care of [guardian’s name redacted] in Ireland.

The mother is an Irish citizen, and the father is a Brazilian national.

The father’s whereabouts are currently unknown, with last confirmed contact tracing him to [Brazilian city redacted] in [Brazilian state redacted].

irish authorities initiated the request for assistance after repeated attempts to locate the father through conventional channels proved unsuccessful.

Concerns center around establishing the father’s well-being and ensuring his involvement in decisions regarding the child’s future.

Why Brazil? The Importance of International Cooperation

The involvement of Brazilian authorities is crucial for several reasons:

Jurisdictional Reach: Brazil has jurisdiction over its citizens, regardless of their location.

Locating the Father: Brazilian police and investigative agencies possess resources and local knowledge that irish authorities lack.

Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction: While not directly applicable in this instance (as there’s no evidence of abduction to Brazil), the principles of the Hague Convention underscore the importance of international cooperation in child welfare cases. Brazil is a signatory to the Hague Convention.

Consular Assistance: The Irish embassy in Brazil is working closely with Brazilian counterparts to facilitate the search.

Legal Frameworks & International Child Law

This case underscores the complexities of international family law. Several legal frameworks are relevant:

The Hague Convention: As mentioned, while not a direct abduction case, the Convention’s spirit of prompt return of children wrongfully removed or retained abroad is a guiding principle.

Irish Family law: Irish courts have jurisdiction over matters concerning the welfare of children within the state.

Brazilian Family Law: brazilian law governs the rights and responsibilities of parents, including those residing abroad.

Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs): These treaties facilitate cooperation between countries in criminal and civil matters, including the gathering of evidence and the location of individuals.

Challenges in International Location & Contact

locating a missing person internationally presents notable hurdles:

Language Barriers: Communication between Irish and Brazilian authorities requires translation services.

Cultural Differences: understanding cultural norms and legal procedures in Brazil is essential.

Data Privacy Laws: Both Ireland and Brazil have strict data privacy laws that must be respected.

geographical distance: The vastness of Brazil and its diverse terrain complicate search efforts.

Lack of Centralized Databases: No single, comprehensive database exists to track the whereabouts of individuals across international borders.

Potential Outcomes & Next Steps

Several outcomes are possible, depending on the information gathered by Brazilian authorities:

1. Accomplished Contact: The father is located and willingly engages in communication with Irish authorities and his child.
2. Welfare Concerns: The father is located, but concerns arise regarding his ability to provide a safe and stable environment for the child.
3. Unreachable: Despite best efforts, the father remains untraceable. In this scenario, Irish courts will likely make decisions regarding the child’s welfare based on the available information.
4. Legal Proceedings: Depending on the circumstances, legal proceedings may be initiated in either Ireland or Brazil to determine custody and access arrangements.

Resources for Families Facing International Custody Issues

The Hague Convention Website: https://www.hcch.net/

Irish Department of Foreign Affairs: Provides consular assistance to Irish citizens abroad.

brazilian Embassy in Ireland: offers information and assistance to Brazilian nationals.

International Child Abduction Centre: Offers support and guidance to parents involved in international child abduction cases.