Child Rescue Ireland (CRI) Alerts extended through partnership between An Garda Síochána and Facebook (28/6/18)

An Garda Síochána will be working with Facebook's Global Security Operations Centre to distribute Child Rescue Ireland Alerts (CRI Alert) to the Newsfeeds of people in Ireland, it was announced on Wednesday June 27th June 2018. Minister for Justice and Equality Charlie Flanagan TD, Assistant Commissioner John O’ Driscoll, Emily Vacher, Facebook Director Trust and Safety and Detective Superintendent Justin Kelly, Garda National Protective Services Bureau were at the launch.

CRI Alert is a system that enables An Garda Síochána to seek the assistance of the public when it is suspected that a child has been abducted and there is reason to believe that there is an immediate and serious risk to the health or welfare of the child.

The goal of these alerts is to notify the public and instantly galvanise the entire community in the search and recovery of an abducted child. In Ireland, they are broadcast via several media, including to radio, television, internet and electronic road signs. The expansion of the programme to include distribution through Facebook’s Newsfeed, gives people an instant way to share important information about the missing child and suspected abductor, such as a photo, hair colour and clothes, with their friends and family and community groups.