*The matter came before the Family Law Court.ย
A JUDGE has requested TUSLA staff to do a welfare check at the home of two children who havenโt been to school since March as he wants โto know that they are aliveโ.
At the Family Law Court, Judge Alec Gabbett requested that TUSLA Educational Welfare Officers visit the home of the thirteen year old and nine year old boys after being told TUSLA staff havenโt had sight of them for some time.
In an apparent reference to the Kyran Durnin case, Judge Gabbett said, โDoes TUSLA know where they are bearing in mind what has been in the newspapersโ.
He said, โThere has been 100 percent absence from school since March which is quite extraordinary. There have been no sightings of the children and Mum and Dad are unwellโ.
Judge Gabbett asked, โWhere are the children if they are not at schoolโ.
Solicitor for TUSLA, Kevin Sherry said, โThat is the concern judgeโ.
Judge Gabbett said that he was requiring the welfare check to be carried out โin the territory we are in this week in all that we are seeing in the newsโ.
Judge Gabbett said that the welfare check at the address of the family โshould be done this morning – I just want to know that they are alive. Someone needs to go out and check this addressโ.
Judge Gabbett said that he was โconcerned about these boys because we havenโt seen them. They have 100 percent absenteeism and we are getting a lot of excuses (from the parents)- anything but come and see meโ.
The case was before the court as TUSLA is prosecuting the childrenโs parents for the boysโ โchronic absenceโ from their school.
In response to Judge Gabbett asking โare they alive?โ, solicitor for TUSLA, Kevin Sherry told the court, โI understand that they are alive. My client hasn’t had sight of them for some timeโ.
Judge Gabbett asked โcould they have gone away with friends and relatives? Are they in Ireland?โ and in response, Mr Sherry said that he understands that they are in Ireland between Clare and another county.
The TUSLA Educational Welfare Officers later returned to court after carrying out their welfare check to confirm to Judge Gabbett that there was no one at the Co Clare address.
Judge Gabbett issued bench warrants for the two parents to be arrested and brought before the court over their non-appearance for the case.