Single fathers burn access papers in protest

Single fathers who say they have been denied contact with their children burned access papers during a protest outside the Family Law Office in Dublin yesterday.

More than 60 men, women and children joined a Father's Day march organised by the Parents' Defence Campaign.

Mr Peter Coleman, the organiser, said many separated or divorced fathers had found access orders "worthless" when denied visiting rights. "The courts generally won't listen to anything a man has to say."

Mr Eugene Sullivan, Parental Equality vice-chairman, said: "We did not abandon our children, they were taken from us."

Mr Sean Mac Suibhne, chairman of Gingerbread Ireland, said his lone parent organisation supported shared parenting.

"If somebody is awarded access to children through the courts then the courts should find some way of making sure those children are not abused by being denied access to their fathers, or their mothers," he said.

A Co Cavan woman, Ms Patricia O'Reilly, a separated mother of four, said she gave "as much access to the father as possible and can't see why that can't be done by other people. You have to put aside your own feelings and think what's important for the children."

Mr John O'Shea, chairman of Laois Men's Support Group, said abuse of family law made fathers vulnerable.