Plight of dads who are denied access to children

For separated fathers, the traditional familial comforts of Christmas time intensify the depression, loneliness and hurt of not being able to see their children.

Custodial mothers who flaunt and frustrate access orders are the effective gatekeepers of the child/father relationship.

Through bitter experience many separated fathers, faced with the seasonal closure of the family courts, realise that judges are effectively toothless, having no remedy to a breach of court access order short of incarcerating custodial mothers — an unlikely outcome and not of much use to children at Christmas.

As the magic of a childhood Christmas lasts for just a few short years, we are appealing to family members and friends with influence to encourage custodial mothers to make a special effort to facilitate children having time with fathers, paternal grandparents, etc.

Liam Ó Gógáin

Chairman

Parental Equality

Social Services Centre

15A Clanbrassil Street

Dundalk

Co Louth