State 'failing to protect vulnerable refugee children'
The Irish Refugee Council is accusing the State of failing to protect separated children who arrive in Ireland from overseas.
The council says more than 4,500 children who have been separated from their parents or guardians have arrived in Ireland in recent years.
It says many may have escaped horrific situations, but they are not afforded the same rights as Irish children.
The council is hosting a seminar on the issue in Cork today which it hopes will ultimately lead to an end to this two-tier system.
