Interim care order extended for siblings as father remains in custody and mother uncontactable

By Darragh McCann, The Wicklow People

An interim care order for a young brother and sister has been extended, after the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) told the court that their father is currently in custody and their mother has not been contactable for several months.

Representatives for Tusla appeared at an in camera family law sitting at Bray District Court seeking an extension to the interim care order.

A report regarding the children was handed into the court, with a Tusla social worker testifying that the contents of the report were true.

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Tusla’s solicitor told the court that a forensic report on the father needs to take place, but that difficulties have arisen with the prison where he is being held. The court was told that three parties are involved and that the prison has advised Tusla that they must deal with the prison chaplain.

The reason given for not being able to facilitate meetings was that the prison has a high remand flow and is experiencing staff shortages. The court was told this amounted to a “perfect storm”.

A social worker testified that the children are extremely talented and recently went to church to light a candle for their parents.

As part of the forensic report, a risk assessment of the respondent father is required.

The court was told that the father has had contact with the children from prison and that he is upset about not being able to have his children with him over Christmas.

The guardian ad litem gave evidence that the children are a young boy and an older girl, and that the sister has struggled to make connections. She recently remarked that she “wants help from Santa to deal with her feelings”.

Judge David Kennedy described the situation as “heartbreaking”. He also stated that if Tusla drafted an order for the Prison Service, he would sign it.

The solicitor representing the mother, told the court that his last contact with his client was when she was in prison serving a sentence.

The father alleged that he had been a single parent for many years and claimed that the mother was “on the streets doing drugs”.

The interim care order was extended until January 13, 2026.

The court also heard that one of the children’s grandmothers has made an application for custody of the children. Her solicitor was directed to make contact with her ahead of the next hearing.