Munster Mediation Services - Serving All of Ireland

17/08/2026

International child abduction cases rarely resolve well. Still, we have successes. You can read about our latest parental child abduction recovery here:

An Irish mediator has helped families navigate complex foreign courts, diplomatic barriers and legal systems after children are taken abroad

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.”