Munster Mediation Services - Serving All of Ireland

17/03/2026

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21/10/2024

In this matter a left-behind parent raises concern her country’s foreign affairs ministry has failed to assist her. She is not wrong. In such cases a “dual track” process where mediation goes on while government and diplomats follow their own process.

Natalie Kennedy's daughter Alice, aged six, is currently living at hotels in Dubai with 'fugitive' father Philip Thomas, who has defied 13 High Court orders to bring her back.

01/10/2024

My comments today on an international child abduction dispute involving the United Kingdom and Lebanon.

The BBC speaks to a father in Beirut after the High Court rules his son should be returned to his mother in Belfast.

28/09/2024

I did 2 BBC shows this week — one for ‘Good Morning Ulster’ and another feature that will broadcast on BBC One television’s ’Spotlight’ on Tuesday.

In this BBC radio broadcast that aired yesterday Chris interviewed me and three of the incredibly brave, caring and strong women with whom I am working.

The life-long injuries done to children from international parental child abduction are no less devastating than when they are abducted by strangers. If we want our claims of caring about children to be taken seriously we must treat this on the same level of seriousness as child trafficking.

Miceal O'Hurley appearappeared on BBC Radio 'Good Morning Ulster' on 27 September 2024 to discuss the abduction of children from the UK, Northern Ireland. O...

15/09/2024

We commend Ms. Kelly on her tenacity and look forward to her children being returned quickly.

Mandy Kelly, whose sons were snatched by her now estranged husband in Cairo in 2022, says they have not attended school or nursery

06/08/2024

Legal representatives for the Irish mother lodged an application to the family courts in Cairo after she exhausted all other avenues to have her children returned to her

05/08/2024

Update on an international child kidnapping case with my client in Egypt.

Some members of Ramy Gamal Maamoun Mohamed's family are missing along with the two boys

05/08/2024

I’m incredibly thankful to His Honour Judge Meged Entalaby of the Egyptian Ministry of Justice Secretariat of International Cooperation for his time, kindness, sharing of insights and expertise as well as presenting me with this very fine gift from the Ministry for my work.

17/06/2024

We are doing all that we can to help Mandy get her two lovely boys home to Ireland. Latest update from Irish Independent...

A public prosecutor in Cairo has asked an Irish mother to travel to Egypt to investigate claims that her husband abducted their two children.

Mother-of-two Mandy Kelly was informed through her legal team this week that the authorities in Egypt intend to probe allegations that her estranged husband, Ramy Gamal Maamoun ­Mohamed, abducted the couple’s two children while they were on a family holiday in February 2022.

Separately, Ms Kelly’s mediator said she has “no choice” but to travel to Egypt and enter into a custody battle with her husband in the Egyptian courts.

An Irish High Court ordered that the children be returned to their mother, but her husband has failed to do so.

Miceál O’Hurley, a mediator acting on behalf of Ms Kelly, said that it is “likely” his client will be awarded custody in Egypt, but that she will be “forbidden” from returning to Ireland with her children.

“We are asking for more assistance from the Irish Government,” Mr ­O’Hurley said.

“We are asking the Department of Foreign Affairs to suspend all but essential trade and cultural co-operation with Egypt until the rights of Irish citizens can be assured, and Irish family court orders accepted in Egyptian courts.”

17/06/2024

International Parental Child Kidnapping is a plague to families across the globe. The remedies are often difficult and always very expensive. For many parents, when an ex-partner kidnaps your child to another jurisdiction just navigating the complexities of how to address the problem is challenging.

If the country to which the child(ren) was taken is a signatory to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Kidnapping, and the residential country was as well, there are at least structures in place to assist. When the child is taken to a country that has declined to sign the Hague Convention the challenges are sometimes nearly insurmountable.

When children are kidnapped to a non-Hague country the first thing to do is to contact the police authorities and make a complaint of child kidnapping. Many police won't immediately agree that a kidnapping has occurred, often wrongly thinking the other parent has a right to take their child abroad because a separation or divorce agreement simply doesn't preclude it. This is generally wrong as laws usually prohibit children from being taken to other jurisdictions without the consent of both parents (unless a court order otherwise provides for it) and children are deemed to be habitually resident where they have been living, going to school, etc. (each country sets this standard - though usually habitual residence accrues where the child has lived lawfully for the last 6-months).

The next step is to get the best legal advice you can get. It is always costly and sometimes a lack of funds can determine the outcome of having the children returned. As the Hague Convention encourages mediation, as do most non-Hague countries, contacting a competent, well-educated, trained and experienced mediator who has dealt with international child kidnapping is beneficial. Often, a return of the children can be negotiated more quickly and less expensively than long, drawn-out legal proceedings which generally bankrupt many families.

It is possible to see children returned, even from non-Hague countries. If you need assistance and believe we can help, please contact us today! [email protected] or +353860170017

A public prosecutor in Cairo has asked an Irish mother to travel to Egypt to investigate claims that her husband abducted their two children.