UK parents to face Algarve judge

The family were staying at the Aparthotel Mourabel

A British couple who allegedly passed out drunk at an Algarve hotel while in charge of their three children are expected to appear before a judge.

Hotel staff in Vilamoura called police over concerns Eamon and Antoinette McGuckin's children, aged one, two and six, would not stop crying.

The children were taken into care but are now back with their parents.

The couple, from County Londonderry, are reportedly unlikely to face charges when they appear before a family court.

At the weekend, duty court officials said they saw no reason to press criminal charges, but a specialised court, which focuses on minors, has yet to examine the case.

The couple are expected to appear before a judge at the Family and Minors Court in Faro at 3pm on Tuesday.

'Out cold'

Mr McGuckin, 34, and his 32-year-old wife were rushed to a health centre in nearby Loule after arriving at the Aparthotel Mourabel for a week-long holiday on Friday afternoon.

The manager of the hotel said the couple and their three children went out for dinner nearby at about 2000 local time on Friday.

It is alleged that, upon their arrival back at the hotel about two hours later, Mr McGuckin passed out on a sofa in reception while Mrs McGuckin fell asleep in the bar.

A spokesman for the local police said they were contacted by hotel staff at 2200 local time because "the children were crying and they could not revive the parents, who were both out cold".

The parents were taken to hospital while social services dealt with the children, he added.

'No ill effects'

The children were taken to the Refugio Aboim Ascensao children's home in Faro early on Saturday morning but were later returned to their parents.

Dr Luis Villas-Boas said his children's home was called shortly after midnight on Friday and asked to provide emergency shelter for the three youngsters.

But although he described the incident as "very, very shocking", he said the three children showed no signs of neglect and would not suffer any lasting ill effects.

Police officers from Portugal's Guarda Nacional Republicana spent 45 minutes at the couple's hotel apartment on Monday evening.

British consular staff are helping the couple.