A total of 1,148 children were reported missing to Galway Gardaí in the past decade, according to new Department of Justice figures.

The stats – released to Aontú – reveal that on average, two children in Galway have been reported missing every week since the start of 2015.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has confirmed that there are currently 22 active missing persons cases in the Galway Garda Division.

A Galway Garda spokesperson confirmed to the Connacht Tribune that 19 of these have been missing for ten years or more.

“All missing person investigations remain active until the missing person has been located,” the Garda spokesperson said.

Minister O’Callaghan said some 1,148 missing person reports relating to children were lodged with Galway Gardaí in the ten and half years from 2015 to July 2025.

Some 68 children were reported missing in County Galway so far this year, according to the data released to Aontú. The vast majority are found alive and well in a matter of days.

Former Galway East general election candidate Luke Silke, a parliamentary assistant to Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, said the figures were “extraordinary”.

Caption: Luke Silke of Aontú.

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