Many fathers will not be able to give their children Easter eggs tomorrow because they are denied access by the family law courts, a demonstration in Dublin was told yesterday.
The loss of access applied not only to fathers, but grandparents and extended families were also cut off from the children, said Mr Ray Kelly, organiser of the demonstration by the Unmarried and Separated Parents of Ireland and Unmarried Fathers groups.
About 100 men, women and children gathered to protest and called on the Government and the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, to meet representatives to discuss the issues.
Carrying banners stating "Daddy does care", "Daddies for life not just Saturdays", "Dads against discrimination", and "Torn apart by the system", the demonstrators gave out leaflets asking for changes in the family law system, which, they said, discriminated against fathers.
Mr Kelly said they wanted an arbitration and mediation system in which to discuss issues and possibly avoid court. Judges were not trained in family law and there should be proper family counsellors.
"There are UN laws about the rights of children but they are not being used here. We're getting half-measures and we're calling on someone from the Government to speak to us because we've been trying for the last eight years. The Government has ignored the whole issue," Mr Kelly said.
One woman had travelled from the south-east to take part in the demonstration. She said she had one grandchild, a boy of five.
"I've only seen him once in the last 12 months," she said. The grandmother added that she did not want to give her name as the matter was still going through the family courts.
Mr Stephen Carr, Dublin, said he was there to lend support to the protest. He said he did have access to his child. He had fought since 1994 and he had been to the family court 16 times.
Mr Frank Duffy from the Mayo group challenged the Minister for Justice to discuss the issue. "Come and talk to us, Mr McDowell," he said to applause.
Mr Eamonn Quinn, Dublin, said social attitudes had to change. "It's been brushed under the carpet for too long," he said.
The demonstration began at the Four Courts and continued across the Liffey, stopping near the family law courts in Dolphin House. Here they held white crosses and stood for one minute's silence for those fathers who they said had committed suicide after losing access.