When Charlotte Doyle (Mairead Devlin) abandoned her husband Desmond (Pierce Brosnan) and their three children—Evelyn (Sophie Vavasseur), Dermot (Niall Beagan), and Maurice (Hugh McDonagh)—in order to run away to Australia with a "fancy man", the SPCC (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) saw fit to place the children in church-run orphanages on the grounds that Desmond had no job and no means of supporting them. Although he was assured that this was just a temporary measure until he found employment, when he does find a job, he is refused his children back on the grounds that Charlotte is still alive and must give her consent. Helped by his barmaid friend Bernadette Beattie (Julianna Margulies), her solicitor brother Michael (Stephen Rea), American lawyer Nick Barron (Aidan Quinn), and his old mentor Tom Connolly(Alan Bates), Desmond decides to challenge the law before the Irish Supreme Court.
Evelyn is based on a screenplay written by Paul Pender. However, it is based on a true story—that of Desmond Doyle and his 1955 fight against the Irish courts to be reunited with his children. His case resulted in the overturning of the Irish Children's Act of 1941, which prevented a father from caring for his own children in the absence of their mother unless she was living and gave written permission for him to do so.
After Evelyn testifies as to the cause of her bruised face, it is now up to the three judges to render their individual decisions. Justice Ferris (Conor Evans) finds against Desmond on grounds that the Children's Act is not repugnant to the Constitution. Justice Daley (Bill Golding) finds for Desmond on grounds that, although there is no precedent, the Children's Act contravenes a parent's fundamental God-given right to the society of his children. Justice Lynch (Don Foley) cites a precedent in an English case that determined a parent has an inalienable right to his or her children and finds in favor of Desmond. The courtroom is filled with cheers and congratulations, and Hugh Canning (Brian McGrath) announces on air that Desmond has won. Back at the orphanages, the children cheer, and Mary (Sorcha Herlihy) tells the girls that they can all go home soon. Bernadette kisses Desmond and reminds him that he'll be needing a housekeeper now. Not long thereafter, Desmond picks up his children and takes them home. In the final scene, the family—Desmond, Bernadette, Dermot, Maurice, and Evelyn—sit down to Christmas dinner together while angel rays shine down on them. A note then appears stating: As a result of Desmond Doyle's victory, the Children's Act was amended, enabling many children throughout Ireland to be reunited with their families.
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