7th September, 2001
I saw Christine O'Sullivan some months ago at the corner of Middle Abbey Street and O'Connell Street. I had met her previously with Mary Banotti, M.E.P., when Mary launched a prevention pack produced by the Irish Centre for Parentally Abducted Children. This time she was looking up and down both streets as I am sure she had looked up and down many other streets since her daughter was abducted.
I talked to Christine briefly. It is very hard to know what to say to a young woman whose little daughter, Deirdre, had been taken by the child's father some eighteen months before but I am sure I said "Well, Christine, don't worry about her safety, he is Deirdre's father and he loves her so she is sure to be alright". From what Christine said in her many radio and television appearances when she appealed for Deirdre's return I think she felt the same. How wrong those of us were who felt a child was safe with his or her father. Deirdre was recently shot by her father who then shot himself.
It was suspected initially that Christopher Crowley had taken his daughter abroad, his car having been found in Wexford. Transnational abduction of children is such a common occurrence that some years ago Mary Banotti was appointed special Rapporteur for the European Parliament on this distressing problem. Ireland is not exempt and each year children are abducted from Ireland or are brought here, usually by parents but sometimes by other relations. In 1999 there were 73 such cases and in 2000 just two less. We are signatories to the Hague Convention which covers the legislation of such situations, in our case the Child Abduction and Enforcement of Custody Act 1991, but it is common for parents to forget legalities when a child or children are involved in a parental dispute. The main thrust of the legislation is to ensure the return of the child who has been taken away back to the person who has custody.
The Irish Centre for Parentally Abducted Children (ICPAC) is a registered Charity based in Dublin at Mary Banotti's office in the European Parliament Building in Molesworth Street. It offers practical advice and support to parents whose children have been abducted or who fear that their children may be abducted to another country. It has an advice telephone line (01-6620667) and those who man it have experience in dealing with cases of abduction. ICPAC has extensive contacts world wide and works with other organisations to reunite children with those who had their legal custody. It does not give legal advice but can advise on suitable solicitors.
The information pack can be obtained from ICPAC for £3. At the launch of the pack I was very interested in the way Mary Banotti warned parents who feel their children may be abducted to trust their instincts and take precautions. The type of precautions suggested include making a complete description for each child in the family on a special form and making two photocopies of it. There is advice on completing a fingerprint form, this being extremely important with very young children whose appearance will change rapidly. At least three different passport sized photographs should be taken and written on the back of each photo the child's name and date of birth and the date the photo was taken. Two photocopies of the child's birth certificate and any court order relating to the child should be made. Even a sample of the child's hair should be kept. The advisability of acquiring a DNA sample is discussed. And this is only the beginning, there being further advice on passports and security for them, and so on.
There is also a section on information one should keep about a possible abductor. It is all so sad when one thinks that the people involved probably loved each other very much once and these sort of situations were never envisaged.
The pack also suggests telling your fears to some others so that they are alert to anything suspicious. These include the family doctor, health visitor, midwife and, of course, those involved in the child's schooling and social activities.
As was suspected, little Deirdre's father was given help while he was on the run with her. According to press reports a young woman who rented the house in Clonmel for him and visited them occasionally is "helping the Gardaí with their enquiries". I do not remember his family ever appealing for him to bring Deirdre back to her mother.
Eighteen children were killed in Ireland during the last two years, most by their parents. Some of these parents killed themselves at the same time. We should be careful about saying such killings may be done out of love. Revenge, or a feeling that "If I cannot have her, no-one will" can be important, too. It is important that the murder of a child by a parent in such circumstances is seen for what it is - murder. When a tug of love starts two teams form. However strongly held the views of both teams it should not take a grim conclusion like that which happened in Clonmel to make those who are more peripheral realise the dangers of the situation and do everything in their power to have the child returned.
Senator Mary Henry, MD
