By Sarah Gill
14th Dec 2023
14th Dec 2023
Your speedy summary of today's must-read stories.
Migrant children disappearing from State care
62 asylum seeking children have disappeared from State care after arriving in Ireland alone. Of the dozens of separated migrant minors who have vanished from Tusla accommodation since 2017, 44 are no
longer being searched for by the child welfare agency – because they reached their 18th birthday while missing. A Noteworthy investigation has uncovered that, in many cases, no public appeals for the missing children were made by An Garda Síochána. Analysis of the gardaí’s national missing persons database shows that there are currently 16 ongoing appeals for the whereabouts of migrant children who have disappeared over the last six years.
EU member states set for decisive summit on Ukraine
Leo Varadkar is attending a two-day summit of EU leaders in Brussels which will be dominated by the issue of financial support for Ukraine and the possible launch of the country’s EU membership negotiations, both of which are currently being blocked by Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban. The summit will also focus on the war in Gaza, with Ireland, and other member states, pressing for an urgent humanitarian ceasefire. Two issues will dominate the two day meeting, Ukraine and Gaza. EU leaders were expected to approve €50 billion in financial support for Ukraine so the government can run essential services and keep the economy going over the next four years.
Sligo cyclist found fatally injured
A man in his 50s has died following a traffic incident in Sligo shortly after 11pm on Wednesday on Pearse Road. A cyclist was found in the cycle lane with serious injuries. He was taken by ambulance to Sligo University Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The scene has been preserved for examination by Garda Forensic Investigators. Traffic diversions are in place and motorists approaching Sligo town on Pearse Road are currently being diverted onto Cemetary Road.
Government to publish draft law on facial recognition technology
The Government has agreed to publish its draft law on facial recognition technology, which will be used for offences including violent disorder which was added in the wake of the Dublin riots. The Minister for Justice has said the aim of the Bill is to help gardaí “trawl” through thousands of hours of CCTV when investigating serious crimes. Groups such as the Irish Council for Civil Liberties have raised concern about how this technology could be used by authorities, particularly around whether it is used without warranted suspicion. The Green Party had also raised concerns about making FRT available to gardaí, which was addressed earlier this year when standalone legislation was proposed to regulate the area.
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