Courts / Ireland / Report

High Court refuses to order State intervention in Polish 'child abduction' case

Summary

The High Court has refused to order the State to intervene in the case of a father who has alleged that the Polish state "abducted" his daughter after the child's mother took her there without his consent. The man, who cannot be named, has been separated from his daughter for 750 days and described the period as "horrific and frightening". He had sought orders from the High Court directing the Irish State to assist in the location of his child in Poland and for her safe return. A court in Poland has previously ordered the child's return to Ireland and the Polish Supreme Court later dismissed an action by the Polish child ombudsman opposing that order. However, the ombudsman then filed an "extraordinary complaint" against the order, which could cause further delay to the missing child's return. The father, who represented himself, took the action against the Taoiseach, the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The child's mother took the girl to Poland in March 2024 without his consent.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: High Court refuses to order State intervention in Polish 'child abduction' case. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• March 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 2025 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2026-04-21 Publication

Why: The judge said the plaintiff had sought "a series of orders from the Irish High Court directing the Irish Government to take various steps in the process currently taking place in Poland in order to give effect to the order". CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report