11/07/2008

Petition Presented For Missing Children's EU Alert System

A campaign for an EU-wide alert system for missing children will culminate in the presentation of a petition to the European Commission in Dublin later this month.

The family of missing Dublin teenager Amy Fitzpatrick, who disappeared in Spain on New Year's Day, is leading the campaign.

The 15-year-old's parents will present today's petition of 20,000 signatures along with Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald.

Ms McDonald is calling on the Taoiseach to raise the idea of an alert system with the French President Nicolas Sarkozy when he visits Ireland later this month.

Amy Fitzpatrick has not been seen since she left a friend's house in the Costa Del Sol around 10pm on New Year's Eve to return home in the town of Calahonda, where she has lived for a number of years with her mother Audrey, stepfather Dave Mahon and 17-year-old brother Dean.

An extensive search, involving more than 200 police officers and volunteers, took place in Mijas, Fuengirola and parts of Marbella afterwards, but failed to unearth any clues.

See: Search Continues For Missing Irish Girl in Spain

(DW)(BMcC)

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