Mother with serious alcohol problems refused meaningful access to daughter

Access limited to  cards, short notes and small gifts  at Christmas and birthdays

Mr Justice Max Barrett described it as a 'profoundly sad' case. Picture: iStock

A High Court judge has upheld orders refusing a mother, who has serious alcohol and other problems, meaningful access to her teenage daughter whom she has not seen in more than a year.

In what he described as a “profoundly sad” case, Mr Justice Max Barrett directed the mother may only send cards, notes and small gifts on the girl’s birthday and at Christmas, plus a weekly “general” text to her which cannot be sent if the mother is under the influence of alcohol at the time.