Message from Ray Kelly re June 18th

[Gerry Stockil]

PRESS RELEASE – JUNE 2011

– The Unmarried and Separated families of Ireland (UFSI) will hold their annual peaceful protest in Dublin City Centre on the 18 June the eve of fathers. Starting at the four courts at 12oc midday, the annual event is expected to attract hundreds of people from around the country. All gathering in support of a change to the legal system, which would grant rights for your children  

 

At USFI, The Unmarried and Separated Families of Ireland, we have been campaigning tirelessly for years for EQUALITY in the Legal System.  The current legislation and legal practices heavily favour women.  97.4% of women obtain custody in court.  The thousands of fathers who care and love their children are being left out in the cold.  Equality doesn’t favour women or men – it is what it says it is – EQUAL.

 

At the USFI office there are in increasing number of women and grandparents seeking information, advice and support.  In response to this demand, new support groups have been set up – one for women, one for grandparents and the long standing one that we have for men.  As a group we are actively encouraging our members to stay out of court with new methods that are proving very successful.  One of our directors has applied these techniques and a judge responded to her case by saying “ you (both parties) should be working there (Dolphin House) to show other couples what is possible.”  There is another way and it works.

 

As an organisation we are campaigning for awareness of the plight of the thousands of fathers out there who don’t have rights where their own children are concerned.  We want to highlight the impact of the one sided nature of the judgements in court on the the other members of the family – grandparents, aunts, uncles and not forgetting the children caught in the crossfire.  It has been said by a psycho therapist, who specialises in child therapy at USFI, that children benefit from having both parents in their lives.  When a separation happens, many issues arise which often result with the children being used as pawns.  The impact on the children can be very traumatic.  They seldom have a voice.

 

We are asking for the constitution to be amemded to facilitate familes in THIS century – whatever form they take.

 

If you are dealing with anything related to this topic, we encourage you to take the first step and make contact with us.  We are here to ‘stop the hurt and focus on the children’.  Who wouldn’t want that?  

Ray kelly on 0868879444 /01 4514200/01 4514200