Irish authorities have raised trafficking concerns over two unaccompanied Gambian children who arrived in Ireland, as part of a wider alert involving 35 vulnerable minors flagged for possible trafficking.
According to a report published by the Irish Examiner on Tuesday, Tusla Ireland’s Child and Family Agency notified An Garda Síochána, the national police service, about concerns that 35 unaccompanied children who arrived in the country this year may have been trafficked.
The Gambia is among the countries identified. Two Gambian children are on the list, alongside 22 Somali children who form the largest group, five Afghans, two Vietnamese, two Eritreans, one Guinean and one Pakistani.
The figures represent concerns about possible trafficking, not confirmed cases of trafficking.
Tusla said it works with other state agencies, including the International Protection Office, border authorities and police, to protect unaccompanied children seeking international protection. Referrals are made when children believed to be under 18 arrive without an accompanying adult. Social workers then assess their needs and protection risks.
The agency noted that many unaccompanied minors arrive after fleeing conflict and humanitarian crises. The majority of separated children currently in its care are from Ukraine, Afghanistan and Somalia.
The alert highlights growing scrutiny in Ireland over the exploitation risks facing unaccompanied migrant children and the possibility that criminal networks are facilitating their movement.
The report did not establish who transported the children, how they travelled, whether they were recruited or coerced, or whether any arrests have been made in connection with the cases.
For The Gambia, the inclusion of two children underscores the vulnerability of young Gambians undertaking irregular migration without trusted guardians exposing them to deception, coercion, abuse and disappearance.
The findings point to the urgent need for cooperation between Irish authorities, Gambian authorities and international partners to trace the circumstances of the two Gambian children, identify any networks involved, and ensure their safety and welfare.
Authorities must prioritise protection over criminalisation, establish the facts of each case, and ensure that children arriving alone receive appropriate care while credible trafficking concerns are fully investigated.
