Athy Court: Mother can apply for passport for daughter (5) without signature of ex
Athy Courthouse
A MOTHER was told she can apply for a passport for her daughter without the signature of her estranged partner but will have to come back to court to reapply when her passport expires in five years’ time.
The woman appeared at a session of family law behind closed doors at Athy District Court on 8 July to make the formal application.
She explained how her ex had no contact with their five-year-old daughter in three-and-a-half years and Judge Desmond Zaidan was sympathetic to her plea.
“Normally for under-5s, this (order) would last for three years, but for over-5s it can last until she’s 18,” he said.
“When her passport expires in five years you will have to come back and reapply … but you won’t need her father’s signature,” he advised.
“This ban only works in Ireland, not in France or Algeria, but it’s not that painful,” he said.
“Really? This is my fourth court visit over the passport,” said the mother.
The judge then granted the order, but on the proviso that she handed in copies of the child’s birth certificate and passport application.
Though prepared with said documents, the clerk informed her that they would only accept photocopies for the Court Service records in Naas.
The judge told her to bring copies into the courts office in Naas courthouse the following day to complete the process but added: “If you can get there before 4pm today, you can get that done.” The woman was grateful for the advice and told the judge that she lives in Naas and would attempt to get it done that afternoon.
