African with Irish child takes direct provision case

A woman who has spent nine years in the direct provision system has taken, along with her child, who is an Irish citizen, a High Court challenge to the constitutionality of social welfare laws under which child benefit is being refused to them.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is being put on notice of the proceedings, which have potential implications for others in similar positions to the woman.

The child’s father is Irish but has had no involvement with either mother or child and the woman contends the child benefit should be payable to her, Mr Justice Seamus Noonan was told.