Child Support

Some experts say that a parent should give their child an allowance, to teach the wee ones about proper money management. That leads to the next problem, how much should a caring parent give?

Would 50,000 euro be too much? For an adult child, of course, not some toddler. And what if Da thinks that's a bit much? A strapping lad of thirty would find a way to convince the aul' one. Pity that the Garda got in the way.

No names have been released, but the Da in question is a Dublin business owner who formerly resided in Belfast. While news reports don't provide details, we can assume that Sonny went to his father and asked for a loan...or maybe a gift. Figuring Da had plenty of cash, what with the business and all, so why not get some of the inheritance now, when it's of more use. A savvy entrepreneur would never go along with that particular line, especially with its suggestion of demise and a reading of a will. Unpleasant to think of, and sure Da sent the boy packing.

What next? Stage a kidnapping, of course. Brilliant! All Sonny needed was a couple of snaps, and his friends were handy with the camera. Send that off to the recalcitrant father, that photo of the beloved son with a gun pointed at his head. And better yet, have the girlfriend deliver the ransom note with the threat of imminent murder. Out of love and a touch of fear, that 50,000 euro would soon be in hand.

Da just wouldn't follow the script. He called to the Garda station in Tallaght and told them all about his son's kidnapping, about the threat to kill the boy if money was not given to the girlfriend to be delivered to the criminals. A quick check of the computer and the gardai learned that Sonny was a known drug dealer and addict. These aren't exactly the Keystone Kops that we're dealing with here. They figured something odd was afoot, and they set up a sting operation.

In come gardai from Drogheda, where the son and his girlfriend live, followed by the National Surveillance Unit and Emergency Response Unit. They worked with Da, set up a drop-off for 11:30 Wednesday night, and then waited. Sure enough, the so-called kidnappers showed up, the officers swarmed in, and promptly arrested Sonny, his friend and his girlfriend. Leaving Da 50,000 euro to the good. A job well done, lads.

The money-starved trio is expected to be charged today, and can't you just imagine what Sonny must be thinking? Christ Almighty, if you can't trust your own father to follow some simple instructions...