Bernard Gloster, who was in charge of Tusla when the boy went missing, said child protection cases are ‘exceptionally complex’.

It was confirmed last week that Gena Heraty and the other hostages had been released.

Gardaí are searching for a boy who was last seen years ago and is now feared dead.

Micheal Martin said he wanted to see the ambitions of the strategy reflected in the upcoming budget.

Micheal Martin said the ‘Irishness’ of citizens should not be questioned due to their backgrounds or origins.

The Taoiseach said former pop star Geldof was one of a number of people who had expressed an interest in running for the role.

Sporting greats were centre stage as the children’s cancer charity Michael’s Fan Club was unveiled in honour of Michael Horgan.

‘This is about the presidency, its not about Fianna Fáil,’ the party leader said.

Gardaí said they are investigating the disappearance and whereabouts of the boy, who would be seven years old if still alive.

The Tánaiste said he is worried about ‘toxicity’ in public discourse after threats were made online against his family.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly referred to cocaine production destroying the environment in Colombia.

Justin Kelly also said he wants to prioritise tackling crime in rural Ireland during his first press conference since his appointment.

Justin Kelly said he is considering the introduction of tasers and prioritising ‘increased visibility’ of officers.

The incident took place in the Ballycastle area of Ballina on Monday evening.

So far, just two candidates have secured enough support to get on the ballot paper.

A search for a missing boy in Dublin who has not been seen for several years has so far been unsuccessful.

The most common trigger for these experiences was immigration, according to Coimisiún na Meán research.

The child is believed to be a boy who was three and a half years old when he was last seen.

Mr Kelly also expressed support for the remaining hopeful in the Fine Gael process, former party deputy leader Heather Humphreys.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said that recall notices will be displayed at point of sale.

Cara Darmody brought a cake up for Simon Harris for their meeting at Government Buildings.

The prospectus for Israeli bonds has been approved by Luxembourg.

Gardaí have said they are investigating the threat which appeared at the weekend on social media.

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said population health screening programmes are vital for early disease detection

The high cost of healthy foods and gym memberships are also creating barriers to living a healthy lifestyle, according to the research.

The threat was reportedly made on social media over the weekend.

The presidential candidate also said she had been energised by a visit to the Electric Picnic music festival.

The final decision on the nomination will be made by the party later.

Ms Heraty had been taken hostage from an orphanage in Kenscoff earlier this month.

Jack Chambers told reporters it was his understanding that Mr Gavin will seek the party’s nomination

Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern said he was not ruling himself out of the race.

It is the first time the number of homeless children has surpassed 5,000.

The Ireland South MEP said 100 years after independence, the time was right for Irish people to debate ‘the type of Ireland we want’

Excavations focused on two areas, including the site of a former workhouse yard and the high stone boundary wall at the site.

Kyran, who would be nine-years-old this year if still alive, was reported missing in August last year

A man has appeared in court charged in connection with the seizure of more than 750,000 euros worth of cannabis.

The presidential candidate said she believed people in NI should be allowed to vote in the Áras election.

The independent TD for Galway visited Belfast.

Simon Harris said the idea of having peacekeepers leaving soon would have been ‘wholly irresponsible’.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris made the announcement of the imminent arrival of the group of Palestinians on Thursday.

The HSE said that the women are registered despite the system ‘not showing your correct details’.

He is one of two men arrested as part of a garda operation on Tuesday in which two properties were searched.

The findings have been published by the Economic and Social Research Institute.