Statement from Minister of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan on Saggart Incident

I have been briefed yesterday and today by An Garda Síochána and by senior officials from my Department on the recent incident in Saggart, West Dublin.

I have asked my Secretary General for a detailed account of the management of the asylum application process in this case.

Our first concern is with the safety and wellbeing of the young girl involved, and my colleague Minister Norma Foley has been working to ensure she is provided with every available support.

A man has been arrested and charged before the courts in relation to the alleged incident, so I am not in a position to comment any further on this criminal investigation.

However, it is clear that An Garda Síochána responded promptly, locating the girl and taking her to safety while immediately beginning an investigation.

I have been advised that there is no ongoing threat to public safety in the area. Also, An Garda Síochána has informed me that there is no correlation between the location of IPAS centres and crime levels in a community.

Since taking office I have sought to operate a robust and rules-based immigration processing and enforcement system.

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