Unmarried fathers stage protest in Dublin

The Unmarried Fathers of Ireland group has held its annual protest at the Four Courts in Dublin this afternoon.

It claims that on Christmas Day many children don't see family members, including their fathers, because of the family law courts.

Wreaths were thrown into the Liffey to represent men who have taken their own lives because they could not see their children.

The group’s director, Ray Kelly, said it wants the Government to take radical action to strengthen fathers' rights.

"It's failing in every attempt to help or support us in any way, shape or form,” he said.

“The Government has ignored the difficulty and problems for unmarried and separated fathers”.