22 Somali children suspected of being trafficked in Ireland
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Caasimada Online
Ireland’s child protection agency Tusla has reported trafficking suspicions to police involving 22 Somali minors who arrived in Ireland alone. The agency raised concerns about 35 unaccompanied children this year, nearly two-thirds of them Somali, according to figures provided to The Irish Examiner.
Ireland’s child and family agency Tusla has reported strong suspicions of trafficking involving 22 Somali children who arrived in Ireland alone, according to The Irish Examiner, which published the information on Tuesday. The reports are suspicions and do not confirm that all the children were trafficked.
Tusla told the newspaper it had raised concerns this year about 35 children in total. In addition to the 22 Somalis, the reported cases involved five Afghan children, two Vietnamese, two Eritreans, two Gambians, one Guinean and one Pakistani. The agency said Somalia, Afghanistan and Ukraine are the main countries of origin for unaccompanied minors currently in its care.
A Tusla spokesperson told The Irish Examiner that most minors who arrive alone are fleeing wars or humanitarian crises. The difficulties they face include psychological problems, isolation, language barriers and uncertainty about their future, the spokesperson said.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission warned the government in September that many children who are trafficked are not officially recognised as victims. According to its report, authorities recognised 18 child victims in 2025, compared with 10 in 2024; none was an Irish national. The commission highlighted, in particular, the risks faced by unaccompanied minors and children placed in state facilities.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
