CLIFDEN COUPLE WIN LANDMARK ADOPTION CASE

Date Published: 08-Jul-2008

A Galway couple living in America are preparing to move back to Clifden with their adopted daughter after winning a landmark legal battle.

Today’s Irish Independent reports Michael Connolly and Barbara Nee had previously been told they would not be allowed bring their daughter to live in Ireland because of difficulties with Irish adoption laws.

Michael Connolly and Barbara Nee’s daughter Grace was adopted in Michigan but lived in Boston Massachusetts with her parents.

When the couple expressed a wish to move back to Ireland they were told Grace would not be granted an Irish passport.

Gallagher Shatter solicitors successfully argued that since the couples adoption was recognised in Massachusetts it should be recognised here also.

The couple has now been informed their daughter will be granted Irish citizenship and the family is preparing to move home to Clifden.