The Monaghan mother of two young boys who were abducted by their father has met with Tánaiste Simon Harris and secured "new Government commitments."
Mandy Kelly's sons Zayn who is aged 7 and Kareem who is aged 4 were taken by their father in 2022 while on a family holiday in his native Egypt.
Even though Egyptian courts have given full custody to the Monaghan native, and Irish courts have issued a return order, the children remain with their father. Despite repeated requests through official channels, the local woman has still not been provided with any information on her children - their current whereabouts, welfare, or schooling.
On Tuesday Ms Kelly met Tánaiste Simon Harris, whose leadership and personal engagement she has welcomed in a case that is both diplomatically sensitive and profoundly human. She said his willingness to listen with empathy and act with authority is the kind of statesmanship families like hers depends on in the most difficult moments.
Mandy says over three years on, her kids are being denied their most basic rights to family life, education and safety.
"Three concrete moves came out of yesterday’s meeting: Irish eyes in court: Diplomatic observers will attend the next Cairo hearing to help safeguard Zayn and Kareem’s rights.
"The Tánaiste will ask the Minister for Justice to seek escalation from a Yellow Notice to a Red Notice, where legally warranted. Quiet diplomacy: A formal diplomatic communication to Cairo, with further private talks.
“These years have been horrendous — eight journeys to Cairo, prolonged separation despite a standing High Court order, long periods without any basic information about my children’s welfare.”
