Group calls for Irish family law review

A total review of Irish family law is needed to protect the rights of children, a fathers’ rights group said today.

The Unmarried and Separated Fathers of Ireland claimed constitutional reform was well overdue to create a protective and fair judicial system.

The campaign group was holding a conference at Citywest in Dublin to form policy to lobby for more rights for fathers.

Donnacha Murphy, secretary of the group, said the delegates heard it was time for additional laws to protect families, and not just fathers.

The group called for:

:: A total review of family law to create a child centred approach

:: Reform of In Camera rules as new proposals do not go far enough

:: Compulsory mediation ahead of any court cases to decide on family matters

:: Specific training for the legal profession in family law.

The Facing the Challenge conference also heard unmarried fathers were the most discriminated group in Irish society because they had no rights as the law stood.

Speakers at the conference included family law expert Geoffrey Shannon who called for law reform, and journalist John Waters who said a father’s right to love their children had been taken away.

He added that the child’s right to love their father could also be removed at the discretion of a court.

It is the first ever national summit bringing together support and community groups and policy makers to debate the role of fathers in the family.

Ray Kelly, founder of the organisation, added: “We are looking for understanding and more openness, now we know what the problems are we need the solutions.

“There’s a clear indication of the need for legislation. We need to look at reform, it should not be a male/female issue, it’s a children’s issue.”