Jul 19, 2007Quickie Link: lesbians prevented from leaving country with son
By vanrozenheim
(Ireland) - A sperm donor today won a landmark court battle to stop a lesbian couple moving to Australia with his 14-month-old son. In the first case of its kind in Ireland, the Supreme Court ruled it was in the best interest of the child's welfare to remain in the state with his biological father. Two out of three judges in the state's highest court upheld a temporary order granted by the High Court to prevent the child's mother and her partner moving away for a year. The child's mother's partner - who is Australian - wanted the child to meet her family. A battle over the guardianship of the child is now due to be heard. Mrs Justice Susan Denham, supported by Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan, said she was guided by the paramount importance of the welfare of the infant, by the young age of the infant, and by the fact that a year is a long time in the life of a developing infant. But Mr Justice Nial Fennelly argued no expert evidence had been heard that the child's welfare would be jeopardised or compromised by his being taken to Australia.
