UN questions Irish family courts over 'concept of parental alienation'

The issue was raised by Dafna Hacker Dror of the UN’s committee on the elimination of discrimination against women and girls

Minister for justice Jim O’Callaghan said last month that recommendations arising from a consultation process on parental alienation are currently being progressed. Picture: Conor Ó Mearáin /Collins

Ireland has been asked to respond to the UN on why "the concept of parental alienation" is being considered by the family law courts.

Parental alienation is typically used to describe a situation where one parent wrongfully influences a child or children to turn against the other parent, usually in situations of relationship breakdown.