Access orders in Ireland

Hi,

I'm having problems with the father of my children. We were not married and we split up 7 yrs ago. We have 2 children together, aged 8 and 6. There is an access order in place, which is almost 3 yrs old.

The children have often told me that he bad mouths me to them and I arranged a consultation with a child psychologist who told me that they were well adjusted children and had no need for therapy. Lately the bad mouthing has escalated and the children are becoming more upset.

There is also the issue of the condition of his place of residence. The children are telling me that it is filthy there and he has numerous cats in the apartment. Earlier today I had the youngest child with the doctor because of a skin fungal infection caused by cats.

I would like to know where I can go from here as when the original order was set up I felt that my legal representative bullied me into the agreement. I feel that the children's views should be considered as they are the people who have to go there.

Obviously I am very concerned about their health and safety whilst they visit him, there are more issues but these are the more pressing at present.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

You can certanly go back to court and inform the court of the problems and ask for a change. That is your right.

The problems you outline would suffice if severe.