All language subtitles for Evelyn.2002.720p.WEB-DL.DD5.1.H264-FGT

Choir: ♪ come buy
my nice fresh ivy

♪ and my holly boughs
so green

♪ I have the
fairest branches

♪ that ever
yet were seen

♪ come buy from me
good Christians

♪ and let me
home I pray

♪ and I'll wish you
a merry Christmas time

♪ and a happy
new year's day

♪ ah, won't you
take my ivy?

♪ the loveliest
ever seen

♪ ah, won't you have
my holly boughs?

Evelyn, did Jesus
have a big sister?

No, Dermot, he didn't.

He wasn't as lucky as you.

He had two daddies, though. God the
father and Joseph the carpenter.

Did Joseph ever do a bit of painting
and decorating like my dad?

(laughs)

♪ and be with you
new year's day

Evelyn, you take the boys home.

I'll go find your mother.

All right, dad.

Good girl.

♪ And my holly boughs
so green

♪ I have the
fairest branches

♪ that ever
yet were seen

♪ come buy

(men chattering)

(inaudible)

Dermot:
I want the big one.

Evelyn: No, the big one's mine.
I'm the biggest. Come on.

Charlotte:
I told you

I was just going to the pub
for a Christmas drink.

Why kick up such a fuss?

Desmond:
Then, who was he?

You were all over him
like a bloody rash.

Charlotte:
Don't be stupid.

Sounds like mommy
and daddy are back.

Desmond: Right in front
of all our friends, too.

(door closes)

Desmond: Ah, Jesus.

You frozen little mites.

Come here, now.

Your mother and me
were just arguing

About whether the chimney
was wide enough for Santa.

It's great we're
on the top floor

So Santa can park
his Reindeers, and that.

It is, isn't it, love? He's got
the whole roof to land on.

Say good night to mommy.

Dermot:
When will Santa be here?

Santa's gonna
be here very soon, now.

Off you go, off to bed
with the lot of you.

Santa will only come
when you're asleep.

I won't be
able to sleep, tonight.

Oh, you will, love.

Take your jumper and boots off.
Not up on the bed.

You all right?

Yes, daddy.

Okay. All right.
Night-night.

(bells tolling)

(birds chirping)

Daddy, where's the carriages?

Ah, ahem.

Well, son,

Santa was a bit
strapped for cash this year.

It costs a lot of money to
feed those elves, you know.

How much do they cost?

Ah, it costs lots
and lots and lots.

(knock on door)

Granddad:
Happy Christmas.

Granddad!

Evelyn,

My little Christmas angel.

I hope you
were a good girl. Were you?

There's granddad.

Happy Christmas, everybody!

(all)
granddad, granddad.

Happy Christmas, dad.

All right.
Look at what you've got there.

Granddad:
There you go. There you are.

Thanks, granddad!

Granddad! Granddad!

(children chattering)

Desmond:
Take your coat off, dad.

Desmond:
No money, no job.

Happy Christmas.

Ah. Sure, look on
the bright side, son.

Come the new year,
you'll have a new job.

You and the kids will be set up.

The world will be your oyster.

We never died a winter yet.

(Desmond groans)

Desmond:
♪ oh, of all the money

(both singing)
♪ that ever I earned

♪ I spent it in
good company

♪ and all the harm
that ever I done ♪

Heidi, we're
going to see Angela.

She's my best friend.

She has a dolly, too.

I'm sure she'd like to meet you.

Mommy's going shopping, Heidi.

Do you like her nice
new shoes and coat?

But this is
st. Stephen's day.

Mommy, come back, it's st. Stephen's day.
The shops are shut!

(engine revving)

Daddy! Daddy!

Daddy!

Be quiet. Quiet.

- Daddy!
- What?

Mommy's gone.
She was all dressed up,

When she went away
with a man in a car.

Evelyn.

Ah, Jesus, don't
let me down now. Come on.

(engine sputtering)

Come on.

Desmond:
She's your daughter.

You say you don't know
where she's gone?

Mrs. Daisley: She's your wife,
and you don't know, do you?

I always said this
would end in tears.

Should never have got stuck
with a corner boy like you.

Who's her fancy man, eh?

Is it the bastard
I saw her with in the pub?

Is it? Huh?

Your language is appalling.

Your bloody...

Your bloody
daughter is appalling.

I hope you don't
use language like that

In front of your daughter.

Don't tell me how to bring
up my own daughter.

You obviously know
sweet fa about it.

Where did she
meet him, huh? In the pub?

No, you're the one who spends
all his time in the pub.

No wonder she got sick of you.

Hey, I treated her well.

Oh, yeah?

I never raised
a hand in anger to her once,

Though she gave me
just cause for it.

Maybe that's where I went wrong.

(scoffs)

(sighs)

(sighs)

(sizzling)

Ouch!

Here you are, love.

Hot milk.

Christmas pudding.

Huh?

You want some of this?

It's very nice.

No.

Why not?
You must be starving.

She made it.

(sighs)

(all chattering)

Maurice, give him the ball back.

I hear her fancy man is English.

Bastard. I might
have guessed.

Good day, gentlemen.

I'm Inspector Logan of the SPCC.

Mrs. Daisley, your
mother-in-law, I believe,

Contacted us and
told us of your plight.

The SPCC?

The society for the prevention
of cruelty to children?

Aye, that's correct.

Is that bitch putting it about
that I've been cruel to my kids?

No, no. Not at all,
Mr. Doyle. No, no.

We only have the children's
welfare at heart.

To lose their mother
at such a young age

Can have a deeply
traumatizing effect.

How's that any
business of yours?

Mr. Doyle,
I'm here to help you.

As I understand it, you've no
income to support your family.

- Logan: Is that correct?
- Yeah.

Do you have any
female relatives to call upon?

Maureen, Des' mother,
died a long time ago.

Then, Mr. Doyle,
I suggest you have no choice

But to approach the
authorities for assistance.

I will arrange immediately
for the sisters to call.

We don't need your charity.

Mr. Doyle,
you have no job

And no mother for your children.

He's right, son.

(chattering)

(sighs)

All right.

Send in the nuns.

- Ow!
- Sit still. Sit still.

But I don't like
cabbage and bacon.

It is very good for you.

Eat it up. I don't
want to hear about it. Eat it.

So, Mr. Doyle, you are a painter
and decorator by trade,

But your attempts to
secure employment

Since your wife's departure
have been unsuccessful.

Yes, sir. Your honor.

But, uh, it's
only been a couple of weeks.

And there's a big job coming
up at the Robert west house,

But, uh,

That's not until
the end of March.

And you have no
other source of revenue?

Ah, well, sir, my father, Henry,

Who's sitting over
here, and myself,

We're setting up a bit of a
tour of the Dublin pubs, like.

Surely that will represent
expenditure rather than income.

Oh, no, your honor.

We'll be playing music,
like, for money.

My father was a
professional musician.

He played for radio Eireann
until retirement age.

Dessie has a
fine voice, your honor.

Judge:
I'm sure he has.

But you won't be
able to support your family

On the strength of
that alone, will you?

Well,

Maybe not, your honor.

Judge: Under section 10 of
the children's act, 1941,

I hereby rule that until there
is a significant improvement,

In the domestic and financial
circumstances of Desmond Doyle,

His two sons,
Dermot and Maurice,

Will be placed in care of the
Christian Brothers in Kilkenny,

And his daughter, Evelyn Doyle,

Will be committed to
st. Joseph's school in Dublin.

And I hope you don't have to leave
them in care for too long, Mr. Doyle.

Daddy!

Children: Daddy. Daddy.
I wanna go home.

Come here.
Come sit down.

I wanna go home.

I know you wanna go home.

Yeah. We're gonna
go home soon.

We're gonna go
home soon. Listen,

I love you very much.
You must understand that.

(boys shouting)

Granddad, granddad, there's st.
Joseph, Jesus' daddy!

I'll pray to him to get us home.

He'll understand.

That's right, love,
he'll understand.

Mr. Doyle, I'm
brother Eustace.

Children: 9 times 5 is 45.

9 times 6 is 54.

9 times 7 is 63.

9 times 8 is 72.

9 times 9 is 81.

9 times 10 is 90.

9 times 11 is 99.

Evelyn.

Look at the rays.

Do you know what these are?

No, granddad.

Angel rays.

Angel rays?

Yes.

These mean that
your guardian angel

Is reminding you that
he's waiting to help you.

All you have to do
is believe in him.

Angel rays.

Look, pet, your favorites.

He's helping you already.

Granddad, please
don't leave me here.

I don't want to stay here with the sisters.
I hate them!

Oh, Evelyn, they're
the brides of Christ.

Then why do they wear
black, horrible dresses?

Brides should
wear white dresses!

What's going on, now? Have
you been bold, young lady?

It's all right. I just dropped a
tube of fruit gums. That's all.

Come along, now.

- No.
- Come along, Evelyn.

Granddad, please don't go.

Granddad, please!

Let go, now.

Let go of me!
Please, granddad!

Come on, now.

Evelyn, please be a good
girl for the sisters.

I'll come back and see you soon.

Disgraceful performance. We'll
teach you some manners in here.

We'll get you cleaned up,
you dirty little tinker.

Mr. Doyle.

Oh, sister, please
don't cut her hair.

It's her father's pride and joy.

Thank you, sister Brigid.
I'm sure we'll manage fine.

One large nun should be enough
to scrub one small girl.

Of course, sister felicity.

I was just making sure she
didn't throw another tantrum.

She's a willful one.

Wasn't our lord a
willful one, too?

Oh, I'm sure she'll
be fine. Won't you?

Thank you, sister Brigid.

Don't look so worried.

This is standard
procedure for new girls.

Otherwise, the place
would be jumping

With lice and fleas
and god knows what.

Come on, take your clothes off.

Don't be shy, now.

After all, bare-naked is how
god created Adam and eve.

It's how he sent
the baby Jesus into the world.

Good.

We'll have you squeaky clean
in no time at all.

Come on, sit down.

Shoes.

You can call me felicity.

What's your name?

Evelyn, Evelyn Doyle.

Pleased to meet you,
Evelyn Doyle.

Pleased to meet you,
sister felicity.

Good afternoon, ladies.

Could you spare a few pence for
the poor black babies of Africa?

Here you are.

Father:
It's a very good cause.

Thanks, god bless you.
You're very generous.

Give us another pint,
there, please.

I think, you've had enough.

Listen to you, now,

I'm sick of people telling me what to do.
Just, just...

You just get us another pint.

Father:
You're very kind.

Fine.

Just a few pennies
from you, there?

There you go, father.

Those little orphans,
they really need your charity.

Thank you. God bless you.

Hey, father,

You lot have taken my babies!

You've made my babies orphans.

(grunting)

Man:
Fair play to you, father.

That's a great right cross
you have on you there.

Right, here we are.

(children chattering)

(clapping)

Quiet! Too much talking.

Just down here, love.

Down you sit.

Don't let my teeth fool you.
I don't bite.

She's a sweetheart,
that sister felicity.

It's frigid Brigid
you've got to watch out for.

She could put the fear of death
into a corpse, so she could.

I'm Mary.

- I'm Annette.
- I'm Lauren.

I'm Evelyn.

Your soup doesn't
look very good.

Mary:
You'll get used to it.

You get used to
most things here.

Half the kids in Ireland
are cooped up here.

How long have you been here for?

Six. Six months?

Six years.

I won't be here for very long.

My daddy's gonna
come and get me.

That's what my dad told me.

I'm sorry, Desmond.

I was the seminary
boxing champion, you know.

Really?

Let that be a lesson to you.

Never underestimate the strength
of the church militant.

God bless.

Thanks, father.

If you really want your
kids back that badly,

You should get
yourself a good lawyer.

Oh, no. They cost money.

Go and see Michael Beattie.

24, upper mount street.

Say I sent you.

Oh, fair enough.

I'll say the new barmaid
at Fergal's Pub sent me.

That'll impress him.

Tell him Bernadette
sent you, you cheeky oaf.

Bernadette Beattie,
his little sister.

I'm only working here part-time
to help out Uncle Fergal.

I'm a trainee chemist, actually.

So, you're the beautiful niece

Fergal's always bragging about.

I bet you have lots of
fellows running after you.

Yes. But none of them have
managed to catch me yet.

Well,

You're not a bad-looking
woman, now that I look at you.

Of course, with
this bump on my head,

I'm probably hallucinating.

Oh.

Bless you, john.

Brother Eustace: Once again, until
we achieve unity and harmony.

Where do we say
our night prayers?

Boys:
Not in the bed,

Not under the bed,
but by the bed.

Then kneel by your
beds and give thanks.

Get a move on, Evelyn Doyle.
You're keeping us all waiting.

(footsteps approaching)

Evelyn Doyle,

We do not lie like that,
not on our stomach.

It tempts the devil.

We lie on our back and
cross our arms like this.

I will check every night that you
are sleeping in this position.

We must not tempt Lucifer.

No more talking.
Good night, girls.

Girls:
Good night, sister.

Mr. Doyle, family law
in this jurisdiction,

Is a cozy conspiracy between the
catholic church and the Irish state.

They're in cahoots.

What you're saying is
that you're all frightened

If you take them on,
you'll never work again.

Something like that, yes.

I suggest you come back to me

When your circumstances
are a little more favorable,

And I'll see what I can do.

♪ On the banks of the roses

♪ my love and I sat down

♪ and I took out my fiddle

♪ for to play my love a tune

♪ in the middle
of the tune, oh

♪ she sighed and she said

♪ "oh, johnny, lovely johnny

♪ "why'd you leave me?"

♪ oh, when I was a young man

♪ I heard my father say

♪ that he'd rather
see me dead

♪ and buried in the clay

♪ sooner than be married
to any runaway

♪ on the lovely sweet
banks of the roses

♪ on the banks of the roses

♪ my love and I sat down

♪ and I took out my fiddle

♪ for to play my love a tune

♪ in the middle
of the tune, oh

♪ she sighed and she said

♪ "oh, johnny, lovely johnny

♪ "why'd you leave me?"

"oh, lord, I vow never
more to offend thee,

"and carefully to avoid
the occasions of sin."

♪ and the meadows
they are gay

♪ and me and my true love

♪ will sit and
sport and play ♪

(all chattering)

♪ on the lovely sweet
banks of the roses

♪ on the banks of the roses

♪ my love and I sat down

♪ and I took out my fiddle

♪ for to play my love a tune

♪ in the middle of the tune

Look who's back.

Straight from Chicago.

How's my favorite Irish colleen?

I'm well.
How are you?

I'm great.

(all cheering)

Who's your man in
the sharp suit, over there?

How should I know?
He looks like a yank.

Maybe he's a friend of hers.
Maybe he's a chemist.

Oh, mmm.

All right, if I can regain your
attention for a moment, please,

We'll have requests.

Apart from nobody's child. We're not
too fond of that one at the moment.

Man 1: Boys of Wexford.

Man 2: Whistling gypsies.

Are you still not talking
to grandma daisley?

No, I'll never speak
another word to that woman.

She blames your
father for everything.

May she rot in hell,
the old witch.

Granddad,

Jesus says we should forgive
those who trespassed against us.

It's in the
"our father."

Grandma, would you
like a fruit gum?

Thanks, love.

Granddad gave them to me.

(chokes)

I won't bother then, love.

Listen, love, there is
something you must tell him.

(whispering)
it's really warm.

(whispers)

Good girl.

Granddad, granddad,

Grandma's got a
letter from Sydney.

Sidney, who?

No, Sydney in Australia.

Australia?

Yes, it's from mommy,
she's in Australia.

She didn't give her address,

But it said Sydney
on the postmark thing.

Oh, god. I might
have guessed.

She always had
the wanderlust, your mother.

Grandma said it's
hot in Australia.

It is, Evelyn.

And you can tell her
it's not as hot

As the place where
her daughter will end up.

Okay.

That's it.

Still no carriages, dad.

No, son.

Still no carriages.

Evelyn: "dear daddy,
it's great news that you have

"such a good job,
doing up that old house.

"I Miss you and the boys

"and granddad very, very much,

"and I hope we can
get back together soon.

"what did granddad mean when he
told me to tell grandma daisley

"that he hopes mommy meets a
great white in Australia?

"I think it's a kangaroo,

"but Mary thinks
it's a koala bear.

"I like most of the nuns here.

"sister felicity
is nice and kind,

"and so is sister Theresa.

"but sister Brigid
is very scary."

Is god good, just and merciful?

Yes, sister.

"Yes" isn't the
catechism answer, is it?

What does the catechism say?

It says...

I've had enough of
you, Annette Farrell.

Now, god is infinitely good,

Ahh!

- Infinitely just...
- Ahh!

And infinitely...

No!

What are you
saying to me, child?

I don't think you
should do that, sister.

If god is infinitely merciful,

He wouldn't want you to do that.

You dare to
question me about god?

You insolent brat!

Right, outside.

Outside!

Never, never, never, never
talk to me like that again!

Where's my daughter,
Evelyn Doyle?

Do you have an appointment?

I don't need an appointment
to see my own daughter.

Who are you?

I'm sister Brigid.

Are you now?

(gasps)

If you ever lay a finger
on my daughter again,

I will tear you

Limb from limb.

Now, where is she?

In the refectory,
on the first floor.

Right.

Mr. Doyle, you shouldn't
be on the premises.

- I've come for my daughter.
- I must ask you to leave.

I'm not leaving without her.

You know that's impossible.

I'm having my daughter back and
you can't stop me. Where is she?

Mr. Doyle, you cannot
barge in here...

There's no bloody laws
in this country

That's gonna keep
my daughter away from me.

How dare you use language like
that in front of me, Mr. Doyle.

Don't speak to me like that.
I will not have it.

Daddy! Don't fight, daddy!

Don't fight with sister Theresa!

It's all right, love.
Don't worry.

Can I see her?

Not if you're going to run off
with her, Mr. Doyle.

That'll just get you arrested.

Okay. Okay,
I promise.

I just wanna hold
her for a second.

I give you my word, all right?

Evelyn, your daddy's
here to see you.

Oh.

It's good to see you.

Daddy, have you come
to take me home?

Yes, yes.

I'll be taking
you home soon, pet.

Very, very soon.

I hear you're doing
well at your new job.

Yeah, my circumstances have
improved, as you would say.

So, you'll take the case, then?

You've been drinking,
haven't you?

I can smell it off your breath.

Since we're not planning
on kissing each other,

I don't see how that's
gonna be a problem.

It's not going to help our case

If the court thinks you're
drinking your pay packet.

Ah, our case?

That means you're
gonna take it, then?

Who is this Gobshite?

This "Gobshite"
is the minister for education.

He's claiming we
require the consent

Of your wife for the
release of your kids.

How can we get her consent

When she's disappeared?

Even her pudding-faced
old mother's got no address.

It's the law, Desmond.
Yours is a unique case.

Normally, the wife
would be deceased.

She ran out
on her kids, didn't she?

What kind of mother
would do that?

We could certainly argue

That she's emotionally incapable
of bringing up the children,

But I'm afraid all of that is,

Strictly speaking, irrelevant.

The law still requires
her consent,

No matter how irresponsibly
she may have behaved.

Well, to hell with the law.

That attitude will get
us nowhere, Desmond.

Look.

I've done everything
I was asked to do.

That district judge
or justice, whatever,

Didn't tell me
I'd need my wife's consent.

Yes, he definitely
misdirected you,

Which gives us a useful
basis for a start.

But it may not be
material enough,

For a challenge in law,

As there are
no precedents for your case.

We'll make the bloody precedent!
I want justice!

Desmond, the law and justice are
two entirely different things.

Oh, Jesus. You can
say that again.

And, of course,
I'm only a solicitor.

I'm not entitled to speak
in a court case like this.

We need a barrister.
And they're very expensive.

I don't care how much it costs.

I'll work round the
clock, if I have to.

To fight church and state
is to fight Goliath.

Yeah, well,

David beat Goliath,
in the book I read.

It's a first edition.

- Is it?
- Yeats.

Desmond:
It'll be grand, I tell you.

I've got it all worked out, dad.

Don't worry
about it. You see...

Ah.

(people chattering)

Get us another pint, now.

You'll have
another one, you will? Right.

I will. I will.

Make mine a large one, Bernadette.
A pint for Desmond.

You two are knocking
them back tonight.

Ah, poor old Dessie's been going
through a rough old time lately.

Aren't we all fond of a drink?

That's right, Henry. You can't hold
that against a man now, can you?

- No.
- That lad of yours is going through hell.

I think he's drinking to forget.

You're right, Fergal. Yeah.

I wonder if our
American friend here knows

That there's only one thing
worse than drinking to forget.

Do you know what that is, son?

Worse than drinking
to forget? No.

Forgetting to drink.

(all laugh)

I'll drink to that.

Ah, that wife of his didn't know
the meaning of the word "love."

Barron: Love.

You know it's strange. The Greeks have
all these different words for love.

"Philia," "agapi," "Eros."
we have just the one.

We use the same word
for our nearest and dearest

As we do for a
packet of cigarettes.

It's interesting, isn't it?

I think it's very interesting.

Did you know
that Eskimos have over

40 different words for snow?

Is that a fact, Fergal?

It's true.
The wife told me that.

She should know.
She's frigid.

(laughing)

You're an awful man.

(men chattering)

I keep telling you
not to drink and drive.

I'm not drinking and driving.

I drank before I drove.

I don't think
this is a good idea.

Ah, it's the only way, dad.

It's the only way.

(panting)

(thunder rumbling)

(grunts)

(thunder rumbling)

I can see the dormitory, there.

Maybe we should come
back some other time.

No, no, no. I've got to
rescue the poor little mite.

Right, we've come this far.

(groaning)

Ah, Jesus.

They've greased the
top of the wall, dad.

Mind yourself, son.

(thunder clapping)

Ahh!

(thudding)

(sighs)

Oh.

(knock on door)

Bernadette!

You're drenched!

That'll be the rain.

You're one to talk.

Yeah. Well, I just...

Come in.

Sit yourself down.

Oh, no, it's okay.
I'm not staying.

All right.
Well, uh, suit yourself.

I'll get you a towel.
A clean one.

This place needs
a good cleaning.

It's got more
empties than fergal's.

Um.

Desmond: Looking for a
towel here somewhere. God.

(door slamming)

Yep. Here we go.

There it is.

You can have it, if you want.

As a reward for putting me
in touch with your brother.

I had no idea you could do this.

Yeah, well, there's lots of things I
can do that you don't know about.

(laughs)

I'm sure there are.

We're saving up
for a housekeeper.

You know anyone who's suitable?

It's not a housekeeper you need.
It's a barkeeper.

You know what your problem
is, Desmond Doyle?

You think all you have to do is smile
with that cheeky twinkle in your eye

And everything will be grand.
It's time you grew up.

You like my
cheeky twinkle, then, eh?

You drink too much!

Ah, ridiculous.
No, I've got a lot on my mind.

Like a trip
to Scotland with your kids?

What?

How do you know about that?

Because the tickets
fell out of your coat.

An adult and three kids? Now,
who could that be, I wonder?

I knew you were up to something.
You big idiot.

Don't call me a big idiot!

Yeah. I'll bet you want someone
smooth, like the yank.

Whose jokes you laugh at all the
time like he's Oscar bloody Wilde.

Well, nick's funny.

And he's a lot more of a ladies'
man than Oscar ever was.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
I get the message.

You fancy him.

Don't tell me who I fancy.

That's for me to decide.

What I don't want is a drunkard

Who has some mad notion about sneaking
off with his kids to Scotland.

Why should you care?

What business is it of yours?

Well,

Because I don't want to have
to visit you in prison.

Has anybody ever told you
you're a fine woman?

Yes, lots of men.

Some of them
weren't even married.

Mmm-hmm.

Not until you
give me the tickets.

What?

Give me the ferry tickets.

I'll take them back tomorrow
and get you a refund.

Jesus, woman.

You drive a hard bargain.
Where are they?

Here you go.

Thanks.

I always get sick
on the ferry, anyway.

Oh.

I just think,
you know, you and I...

Do you really think
I'd kiss you just now?

- It'd be like kissing a soggy beer-mat.
- But you just said...

No, Desmond. I said you
have to give up the drink.

Ah, for god's sake. That's the
hardest thing I could ever do.

The second hardest. Getting your
family back is the hardest.

♪ Oh, of all the money

♪ that ever I had

♪ I spent it

♪ in good company

♪ and all the harm
that ever I've done

♪ alas it was
to none but me

♪ and if I had money

♪ enough to spend

♪ and leisure time
to sit awhile

♪ there is a fair maid
in this town

♪ who sorely has
my heart beguiled

♪ her rosy cheeks

♪ and ruby lips

♪ I own she has

♪ my heart in thrall

♪ so, fill to me
the parting glass

♪ good night and joy
be with you all ♪

(crowd cheering)

Good man, des.

Lovely. Good man,
son. Good man.

Thank you very much, everyone.

You've been a wonderful audience.
God bless you all.

We hope to see
you again next week.

Okay. God bless.
Good night, night, night.

Come on.

You all right?

Dessie, I...

Hey, look at me.
Look at me. Are you okay?

Ah, dad, come on. Come on.

Dad!

Oh, Jesus!

Dad. Someone get a doctor.

Man: Here, johnny! Go and
run for a doctor, quick!

I'm here.

Dessie.

I'm here, I'm here, dad.

The kids.

Yeah, dad, we'll get
them back, dad.

You and I, together.

(moaning)

Oh, dad.

(footsteps approaching)

Henry, it's father O'malley.

If you can hear me, please
say the act of contrition.

(speaking softly) I am heartily
sorry for having offended thee,

And I detest all my sins, because I dread
the loss of heaven, and the pains of hell

Because they
displease thee, my lord.

(birds chirping)

(speaking Latin)

Amen.

Look, angel rays.

What's angel rays, love?

It's granddad letting us
know he's watching over us.

He's our guardian angel.

He told me all about angel rays.

Good old dad.

I knew he wouldn't leave us.

Good morning, Miss Gilhooly.

Mr. Doyle. Didn't you
get the letter?

What letter?

The one canceling
this appointment.

I didn't get any letter.

I've taken this morning
especially off work to see him.

This is my family we're talking about.
Where is he?

(groaning)

Jesus.

(grunts)

(sighs)

Ah.

(dogs barking)

Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

(dogs barking)

(exclaiming)

(gasping)

Lilo! Higgi! Come on!

Sorry, sir.
It's a trespasser.

It's all right, Declan.
This is a client of mine.

A client, sir?

Yes!

We have an appointment!

Please let us know
in the future, sir,

If you're expecting visitors.

(dogs barking)

(panting)

What the hell are you smirking at?
Do you think this is funny?

Do you think you can just cancel
appointments and treat people like dirt?

- Mr. Doyle...
- I wasn't talking to you, yank.

All you're good for is wearing
sharp suits, doing fancy deals

And trying to get your
hands on our women.

And our fish!

Desmond, be reasonable.

I'm sorry
I Missed our appointment

But there's really nothing
more I can do for you anymore.

Oh, really?

Well, your being sorry isn't gonna
get my kids back, now, is it?

I'm sure the yank here
is having great fun

Seeing what a lot of bloody spineless
jellyfish we've got over here.

But ask yourself
this, Mr. Big shot.

What if it was your family?

Wouldn't you fight tooth
and nail to get them back?

Or are you just another
heartless, gutless bastard?

Ah, yeah.

Uh-huh.

Congratulations, Desmond. You
just found yourself a lawyer.

- Is that a fact, now?
- Mmm-hmm.

Who?

Me.

Oh. So, you're not
a chemist, then?

How come you can work over
here if you're a yank?

Desmond, actually, I'm Irish.

I was born and reared in
Kilkenny till I was 9.

Then we emigrated to the states

And I subsequently
came back here

To study law at UCD.

So, he's qualified to
plead in Irish courts.

Does my being a yank
bother you, Desmond?

No, not at all.
I like yanks.

Most of them were Irish
to begin with, anyway.

But I can't afford to
pay you fancy money.

I'm not doing this
for the money, Desmond.

You're just gonna have to raise
enough to cover our costs.

Right.

Well, I really
appreciate your help, so I do.

Yep.

We'll do
our best for you, Desmond.

Right. Cheerio.

Cheerio.

We'll do our best?

Well, we're in this
together, my friend.

You don't think I'm gonna take this
on with any other solicitor, do you?

We have no chance.
You know that as well as I do.

I don't know why
you're taking it on.

Because I know what
Desmond's going through,

Through no one's
fault but my own.

I lost my own kids
in that divorce.

I don't think you realize
what we're up against.

No, I do realize
what we're up against.

Minister: What possible
chance do you think you have?

You and Mr., um...

Mr. Doyle.

Mr. Doyle, here.

A painter and what? Decorator?

Master tradesman, to you.

Apart from anything else, it
will be prohibitively expensive.

Only if we lose.

Oh, you'll lose, Mr., um,

Beattie.

You'll lose, because
if you were to win this case,

The whole basis of family
law would be undermined.

And believe me, gentlemen,

That will not be
allowed to happen.

We thank you for
your advice, Mr...

Shall we?

Oh, by the way, minister,

Your paintwork's shite.

Michael, what we
really need is an expert

In family law to
keep us right, you know?

Desmond: I thought
you were an expert.

I haven't done
family law in nearly 20 years.

I've only a working knowledge.

You mean you don't know what
you're talking about, then?

I mean, can't
you read some books?

Desmond, it's not
quite as simple as that.

It's a very tricky area.

We've still got the problem

That everyone's terrified of
taking on the establishment.

What was the name of that guy that lectured
us in final year about family law?

Remember? The real character.

Connolly. Tom Connolly.

There was a
tom Connolly who played rugby

For Ireland
until his cartilage went.

I think he did a bit of law in his
spare time. Would that be him?

Gentlemen, I'm flattered by your
attentions, but I retired 2 years ago.

In short, I can no longer
face speaking in court.

But, sir, you wouldn't
have to speak in court.

Mr. Barron here
will do all the speaking.

But frankly, sir,
he needs your help.

My family law is so rusty.

Even if you could just come
on board as a consultant.

I'm sorry
to say this to you, Mr. Doyle.

But they'll put forward
the best people

To put the case for the state.

The best that money can buy.

That's why they hated me.

I wouldn't be bought.

I believe
that if there is a god,

He'll step in to help us.

I'm touched by your faith.

(laughs)

This is the only holy spirit

I've found to be of any
practical assistance.

(bell chiming)

Slainte.

- Slainte.
- Slainte.

Ah, you were a big hero to me
as a boy, Mr. Connolly.

To my dad, too.

He took me to all your games.

You see that photo there?

I was at that game.
The one where you got injured.

Yes, that was the
beginning of the end.

When that big brute of a
fullback did my cartilage in.

He was English, of course.

The bastard.

Still, before I left the field,

I managed to boot him where his
balls would have been, if he'd any.

Fair play to you.

Anyway, uh, lads,

Uh, your case is interesting.

Hopeless, but interesting.

You really think it's hopeless?

This case is what I used
to call "a real st. Jude."

Why st. Jude?

Because st. Jude is the patron
saint of hopeless cases.

As I recall, sir,

You've won quite a few
St. Judes in your time.

Well, yes, I suppose I have.

Retirement must be excruciatingly
boring for a man like yourself.

Gentlemen,

I propose a toast.

Justice and st. Jude.

(all)
justice and st. Jude.

(chuckling)

I am Desmond Doyle,

Father of Evelyn Doyle,
who's been held

In your care without my consent.

I request the return
of my daughter, forthwith.

Mr. Doyle, you cannot
have your daughter.

(sighs)

In that case, my solicitor, Mr.
Michael Beattie,

Will present you
with a write of Habeas Corpus

Drafted by my counselor,
Mr. Nicholas Barron.

Duly presented.

Duly witnessed.

Thank you, sister.
That's all we need.

Whoo, so, it went well, then?

It went like a dream.

Desmond remembered all his lines,
and spoke them beautifully.

Laurence Olivier
had better watch out.

So you didn't attack
a nun, then?

No, I did not.

No, I'm learning
the rules of the game.

So what do we do now?

We wait.

No. That's just what
they want us to do.

They'll do nothing for months
and hope that we'll go away.

Nothing will happen unless
we force their hand.

I'll give my old friend
Hugh canning a ring.

Hugh canning?

But he's a sports commentator.

Mostly, yes.

But he does a bit of everything.

May god grant you justice.

Now, take this
and run along, girl.

Thank you, sister.

(birds chirping)

What is it?

- Eileen, come here.
- Come on.

Eileen: What's going on?

"Desmond Doyle,
a painter and decorator

"from Fatima mansions, Dublin,

"is a loving father
who just wants

"to spend time
with his children,

"but the powers that be
won't let him.

"Desmond's rosy-cheeked
little daughter, Evelyn..."

Beattie: At least they've
set a date for the hearing.

That's the first step.

Connolly: A little bit of
gentle pressure did the trick.

We had to give the minister
a kick up his fat ass.

Desmond:
What do we do now?

Barron: Well, you should
smarten yourself up.

The press might
want photos of you.

Beattie: Yes, Desmond,

Try combing
your hair, occasionally.

Shave.

Try to look as if you haven't
just fallen out of bed.

Use me as a role model
if you want to.

And buy a new pair of shoes
before we get to court.

- New shoes?
- Yes.

I've known judges who judge a man's
character by the state of his shoes.

(people chattering)

(vehicle approaching)

Man: Here they come.

Here get ready.
Let's get a shot.

Especially of
the little girl. Now, come on.

Get the three of them
together, now, come on.

(people chattering)

Daddy, daddy, I scored
a goal in Gaelic!

Daddy.

Oh, Dermot! Oh, my loves!
You look wonderful.

Daddy, I like your new shoes.

Ah, thanks, Evelyn.

Ferris hasn't changed much
since I knew him.

The torn-faced
old poultice.

He's always looked like
the Turin shroud.

We used to call him
"Ferris the ferret."

Which is an insult
to the rodent.

Mr. Barron, you're representing
the petitioner, Desmond Doyle?

Yes, my lord.

We contend the judge at the district court
hearing of the tenth of January this year

Misdirected the petitioner,
Mr. Desmond Doyle.

I refer you to the
notes of that case

Wherein the judge
expressed his hope

That Mr. Doyle
would not have to leave

His children in
care for too long.

Sadly, that has not
been the case here.

The children's act of 1941
clearly states

That unless the spouse
is deceased,

Which is not the case here,

Then the consent
of both parents is required.

This is the basis
of our case, your lordship.

Provision of the children's act

Must be understood in its
literal, grammatical meaning.

"Both parents"
means exactly that.

I therefore find against the
petitioner, Desmond Doyle.

(people muttering)

Ferris: Thank you, judge hall.
Judge McLaughlin?

With some reluctance, I conclude
that I, too, must find against

The petitioner's application

And uphold the
minister's decision.

(people muttering)

We've lost.

Man: No, that's
absolutely ridiculous!

Order in court!

Woman: You rotten louses.
Let his babies go home.

Silence, or I shall have
the court cleared.

- Oh, he's loving this.
- Ferris: Silence in court!

- Silence in court!
- The rodent.

Silence.

Ferris:
It is incontrovertible

That section 10, subsection 1
of the children's act, 1941,

Requires the consent
of both parents.

In the absence of such consent,

Evelyn Doyle and her brothers

Will remain in custody until
they are 16 years of age.

Daddy!

Furthermore, this
court has decided

That since the children's act is
capable of no other interpretation,

Any appeal would be
a waste of the court's time.

Right of appeal
is therefore denied.

No, you flea-faced rat!

Who said that?

(people chattering)

Was that you, Connolly?

(people chattering)

Canning:
This is Hugh canning,

The man who broke
the Doyle story,

Covering this
sensational new development.

Desmond: Leave them.
Leave them alone.

Get your hands off my kids!

Maurice:
Don't. Leave me alone!

Dermot: Daddy!

Unbelievable scenes
here at the high court.

I've never seen
anything like it.

Desmond Doyle
struggles with the Gardai...

For possession of his children.

A pitiful scene to watch.

And who wouldn't sympathize with
a father in this situation?

Daddy, daddy!

Children. Children!

Daddy, please!

Oh.

(sighs)

(door opens and closes)

(glass tinkling)

Is Desmond Doyle here?

He's sitting
over there, in the booth.

Sorry to interrupt you.

I'm honest Joe O'leary,
racecourse bookie.

I owned the book on the
outcome of your court case.

Uh-huh.

The punters backed you heavy.

Great.

I didn't feel right
in keeping this,

So I want you to have it.

Jesus.

My god.

It's only 600 quid, so I thought it
might go towards your court costs.

Ha!

Jesus, I don't know what
to say, Mr. O'leary.

You don't have to say
anything, Mr. Doyle.

You see, I grew up
in an orphanage.

(scoffs)

I wish my dad had your guts.

Oh, well.

Good luck to you.
Good night, all.

All: Good night.

Oh, uh, we're organizing
a race next month.

The Desmond Doyle
benefit sweepstake.

Great.

(whispers) put your
money on slippery Sam.

Slippery Sam.

Good man, grand man.
Good night, now. God bless.

Well, how's that?

This calls for a celebration.
Another round for the table here.

Make mine a lemonade.

What? A lemonade?
Are you all right, son?

Desmond: No,
I'm feeling terrible.

But maybe it's time
I tried to feel better.

Fergal: Jerry.

(all yelling)

Keep your eye on the ball, son.

(yelling)

Connolly: Dig it out.

- Dig it out.
- Barron: Thomas!

(players chattering)

Hut.

Good reflexes, you'll need them.

Back in the Irish jersey, I see.

It helps me to see
things more clearly.

Did you play
rugby yourself, nick?

No, I understand it's kind of

A neanderthal version
of American football.

- Ah, is that what you think?
- Hut, hut.

Come on, come on.

Hopeless.

So, anyway,

Why have I invited you
to this sacred turf?

Yeah, I was kind of
wondering that.

So was I.

Me, too. It's not exactly how I
planned to spend my morning.

You know,

When my cartilage went and they
were taking me off on a stretcher,

I looked up and
I saw this father

Holding his little child up
on his shoulders.

They thought I was a hero,
but you know something?

I envied that man so much.
He was my hero.

All Desmond wants is to hold
his kids up on his shoulders.

And we can help you to that.

But how, tom?
There is no right of appeal.

Ferris made sure of that.

We don't need an appeal.

Not if we bring an
entirely new case

Based on an entirely
different principle of law.

Barron: But we're
automatically barred

From bringing the same facts

Before the same court
that's already heard them.

Be it the district courts or high
courts, there's nowhere else to go.

Oh, there is
somewhere else to go.

The supreme court.

The supreme court?

We can't go there with this.

They won't hear
a case like Desmond's.

They only deal with
the real big stuff.

Yes.

Like laws that contravene
the Irish constitution,

Which I've been reading.

Oh-ho, hey, wait a second.
Hold on, now.

Has anyone ever successfully
challenged the law on these grounds?

No.

No?

No.

What chance do you
think we've got?

Who knows?

But I've seen games won by
teams without any hope at all.

(players chattering)

Bloody hopeless.

Good evening, and welcome to
the very first edition of

Conversations with canning

On this marvelous
new medium of the television.

(crowd chattering)

For those of you who listen
to my show on the wireless,

I hope I'm even better
looking than you thought.

(crowd chattering)

Now, many of you

Will remember these
sad headlines of last month,

"Desmond's despair."

Well, Desmond certainly isn't
despairing at the moment.

In fact, he's sitting here,
right beside me,

In our ultramodern
television studio.

And he's got new reasons for being
hopeful, haven't you, Desmond?

Yes!

It's okay, Desmond.

You don't have to shout,
we can hear you fine.

Oh, fair enough.

God, doesn't he look handsome

When he smartens himself up?

He's learning.

I've always told him
he should model himself on me.

That your little daughter
Evelyn and your two boys

Are being held illegally.

Yes.

And you'll be taking on
some pretty top people?

Eh, Desmond?

Yeah. We're gonna call
the minister of education,

Like, as a witness.

And I've often asked myself,

"what drives Desmond Doyle?"

Canning: Desmond?

Desmond: Um,
I love my children.

You know, I'm sick of saying
goodbye to them all the time.

I just don't want them to spend their
whole childhood crying, you know?

Has a date been
set for the trial?

No, not yet.

But I want my kiddies
home for Christmas.

Home for Christmas.

That's an inspiring
note on which to end

This little conversation
with canning.

Fergal: Holy Jesus.

This thing will never catch on.

And we'll be following
your case closely.

Canning: And now...

The beautiful strains
of the Irish harp.

(Irish harp playing)

Some good news, some bad news.

First, the good news.
They've set a date.

Second week in December.

Great. Great.

Connolly: It's a great time
to have a trial.

Even judges are
sentimental at Christmas.

Barron: No,
not all of them, I'm afraid.

Guess who we've got again.

- Ferris the ferret?
- Yes.

He's been elevated to the
supreme court, apparently.

Lousy luck, Desmond.

Ah, luck's got nothing
to do with it.

If you ask me,

The state's planted him there
in an attempt to scupper us.

Come on, eat up,
there's plenty more.

Here, have a nice
big fat sausage.

We're gonna make
you lovely and lazy.

Might slow you up a bit.

(laughs)

Sorry, Sam, nothing for you.

You're gonna get
your feast after the race.

Announcer: They're off, and it's a
close-packed field at the start now.

Come on! Come on!

(crowd shouting)

Come on!

Stay up there, my boy.

Desmond:
Stay up. Stay up. Yes!

They're battling it out,
neck and neck.

Slippery Sam's edged in front.

And as they come
around the bend,

Slippery Sam putting on
a tremendous effort.

(all shouting)

Sam!

(cheering)

(laughs)

Hey, O'leary, how did you know?

Let's say I knew he
was hungry for a win.

Ah, good man.

Desmond? The readers of
the Irish times

Have just voted you
the man of the year.

How do you feel about that?

I'm honored.
Who was second?

- The pope.
- Ah, fair play to him.

Come on, Bernadette. Let's
go and collect our winnings.

Bernadette:
Oh, right you are.

Oh, Desmond,
I've got a few bob, myself.

So, how's it going
with Bernadette, then?

Great.

In fact, I asked her to
come back to America with me,

When the case is over.

- Oh, really?
- Mmm.

What did she say?

She said she'd think about it.

I asked her to move in with me.

- Oh, really?
- Yeah.

What did she say?

She said she'd think about it.

Well.

Who knows what she'll do.

Fatima mansions versus the USA.

Tough choice.

Sister, why don't you
cut my hair?

You've cut everybody else's.

Because, my child,
they are not likely

To have their photos
all over the newspaper.

Why should that make
a difference?

I don't think it's fair that
I should be treated special

Just because
my daddy's getting famous.

But didn't your daddy tell
us not to cut your hair?

Yes, and didn't he tell you
to let me go home?

You didn't take a
blind bit of notice.

(sighs)

Look, if I were to
cut your hair,

Sister Theresa
would not be amused.

I'll explain to my daddy
if he gets cross.

And who will explain it to sister
Theresa if she gets cross?

You, sister.

Hugh canning
reporting to you, live,

From outside the supreme court

On the first day of
this historic case.

A grand, official
car has just arrived.

It's the minister of education.

Looks as if he'd rather be
somewhere else, this day.

(Barron sighs)

This must be what soldiers
feel like just before battle.

- Nervous?
- Nervous?

I'm only trying to
make legal history

By doing something
that's never been done before,

And if I fail, I'm unemployable.

But if you win, son,
you're immortal.

You're in the history books.

And you'll help take this
country out of the dark ages.

Rosary beads. I thought
you weren't religious.

Well, I'm not.

When the verdict comes in,

These are for
counting the score.

Remember, nick,
speak from your heart.

- Aye.
- I'll sit up in the gallery,

Out of the ferret's eye-line.

Thanks, tom.

Good luck, son.

Thanks for everything.

Right.

Aye.

Let the battle commence.

- Is this all right?
- It's fine.

Barron: Minister, three
times now you have refused

To reconsider
the case of Desmond Doyle.

Is that correct?

It is. A decision subsequently
upheld by the high court.

Yes, but the grounds
for our action now

Are fundamentally different,
is that not so?

Well...

Yes, I suppose it is.

And could you tell us, minister,

To whom or to what do you
owe your eminent position?

Pardon?

Your job, sir.
Who appointed you?

Objection, your lordship.

This is irrelevant,
not to say insolent.

Ferris: My lord...

Counsel for the plaintiff has indeed
failed to establish relevance.

I am about to do
so, your lordship.

I hope so, Mr. Barron.
Proceed.

As minister for education,

You are a government
appointee, are you not?

Of course I am.

And, what is the document on which
the Irish government's authority,

And therefore your
authority, rests?

The Irish constitution.

Have you read it recently?

Objection, your lordship.
This is insufferable!

Counsel for the plaintiff
is not displaying

Due deference to
the witness, my lord.

Objection sustained.
Be careful, Mr. Barron.

The witness must be
treated with respect.

Yes, my lord.

I would be grateful, minister,

If you could read
out to the court

Those short extracts
from the Irish constitution

Which, we have established,

As the basis for your authority.

"Article 1.

"The Irish constitution
shall be consistent

"with the law of god.

"Article 41.

"A parent and child

"have a fundamental
and god-given right

"to the enjoyment of
each other's mutual society.

"Article 42.

"A blameless parent

"shall not be deprived
of his or her right

"to direct the
child's education."

Barron:
Would it be fair to say that

By consistently rejecting
Desmond Doyle's application

For the return of his children,

You have denied him

That fundamental
and god-given right?

Would it be fair
to say that, minister?

(Barron laughs)

We are waiting
for your response.

That is a possibility.

Yes.

And is it also a possibility

That you have contravened
article 42 of the constitution

By denying Desmond Doyle

The right to direct his
children's education?

Yes. That is also
a possibility.

That is what we are
here to determine.

Exactly.

And we will so determine.

Yes, good boy.

No further questions.

(whispers)
well done.

Article 42 of the constitution

Refers to a blameless parent.

And we contend that this concept
is tacit also in article 41.

That it is the blameless parent

Who has a fundamental,
god-given right

To his children's society.

This does not apply
to Desmond Doyle.

Sister Brigid: He came
barging in, unannounced,

To the main building.

He was in a terrible rage,
and, um,

He looked like a man
possessed by the devil.

Barron: Objection.
Your lordship,

The witness is
demonizing my client.

Ferris: Not so, my lord.

The sister is merely
expressing herself vividly,

Using a figure of speech
appropriate to her occupation.

Objection overruled.
Proceed, sister.

He was like a man possessed.

He shouted at me,
"where is my daughter?"

He yelled at the
top of his voice.

Wolfe: And what did you
say to him, sister?

I asked him if he
had an appointment.

And what did he say?

He grabbed me by the throat and
almost choked the life out of me.

(all murmuring)

Sister Brigid:
Throttling me, he was.

He said if I didn't tell him
where his daughter was,

He would tear me limb from limb.

Those were his exact words.

I thought he was
going to murder me.

Wolfe: And what did he
do then, sister?

Well, um.

I told him where the girl was

And he ran upstairs,

Repeating his threats
as he did so.

My neck was black and blue

From where his thumbs had been.

Did you report this deplorable
incident to anyone?

Sister Brigid:
Oh, yes, I phoned the police.

They will confirm every word.

Sister Theresa decided,

Out of the charity of her
heart, not to press charges.

Wolfe: No further questions,
my lord.

Have I messed it
up for us all, then?

Well, you may have.

We're just gonna have to show

That this was
an isolated incident,

Not part of
a pattern of behavior.

I hope that was
the only such incident?

Of course it was.

Apart from the time when you tried to
punch father O'malley at fergal's.

Oh, that.

And when you tried
to kidnap your kids.

Yes, but I was drunk
on both occasions.

Oh, for god's sake, man,

Don't try to use drunkenness
as a defense.

It doesn't impress them.

Haven't you heard the phrase,

"as sober as
a judge"? Hmm?

(sighs)

So, you see, your lordship,

I only shook sister Brigid when

I found out she'd
beaten up my little girl.

I object, your lordship.

Not as much as I object.

I object to anyone
laying a finger on my kids.

Objection upheld.

That's Mr. Wolfe's objection,
not yours, Mr. Doyle.

Continue with your testimony.

Wouldn't any father
have done what I did?

Evelyn's face was all
battered and bruised.

(people chattering)

Silence in court.

Even as a very dubious
kind of catholic

Who finds himself
throttling a nun,

You must know that the fundamental
building block of our society

Is the family,

Whose very model is
the holy family,

Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

How can you, as a single
father and as a catholic,

Possibly claim to bring up your
children without a mother?

There is absolutely
no precedent for it

In the religion in which
you allegedly believe.

Cat got your tongue,
Mr. Doyle?

There is...

There is a precedent,
as you'd like to call it.

Wolfe: What are you saying?

The fundamental
building block of our faith

Is not the holy family,

It's the holy trinity.

The father, the son
and the holy spirit.

When my mother died,

My father brought
us up on his own,

With only the holy spirit
to guide him.

He used to say the
holy spirit was love.

Doesn't the holy bible say,
"faith, hope and love,

"but the greatest
of these is love"?

I've given up the drink.

I've worked all
the hours god sends.

I've become a better person

To try and fill myself
with the holy spirit

So I can bring my kids up
surrounded by love.

That's all I can do.

No man can do more.

(crowd applauding)

Silence in court.
Silence!

No further questions.

Your lordship, we would request
that the court is recalled

When we have subpoenaed
our next witness...

Evelyn Doyle.

The bastards. They'll
intimidate the little soul.

(whispering)
lord Jesus,

I have to go to
the big court soon,

To answer some questions.

Please let my daddy win.

I know you're testing him,

But I think he's
getting very tired.

Lord, please let him win.

Amen.

- Daddy!
- Oh, hello, love.

Your hair.

I told them to cut it.

Don't you like it?

Oh. Oh, it's lovely, pet.

It suits you.

You've got your
new shoes on again.

Yes. Yes.

You've got to go now.

Bye, daddy.

Lynch: Silence.
Silence in court.

The court will
draw itself to order.

Now, Evelyn Doyle,

Do you remember
the time in st. Joseph's,

When you tripped in the corridor

And bashed your face,
when you fell down the stairs?

No, sir.

Think back to last March.

Apparently, sister felicity
had to give you some aspirin.

Isn't that correct?

Yes, sir, she did.

And why was that?

Because my face was all
swollen and black and blue.

Because you had
fallen down the stairs.

No. That's what
sister Brigid said.

According to sister felicity, you
made no attempt to deny the fact

That you had fallen down the
stairs and bruised your face.

You didn't say
otherwise, did you?

No.

I mean, yes.

I'm all mixed up.

So, what really happened

Was exactly what sister
Brigid said had happened.

And you made up a story
in your letter to your father,

Because you wanted to
get out of st. Joseph's

And you thought
a little lie would help.

I didn't lie.
I didn't make it up.

I know it must be a frightening
experience for you, Evelyn,

Being a little girl in
a big court like this.

But you must try
not to be scared.

Even though you're alone in
front of all these people.

I'm not scared anymore,
your lordship,

And I'm not alone.

My granddad is here with me.

See. He's letting
us know he's here.

Your lordship,
the child's grandfather

Died some months ago.

She obviously has
a very vivid imagination.

Now, child,

Let me ask you one last time,

Do you remember
falling in the corridor

And hitting your
face on the stairs?

No, I didn't fall on the stairs.

I was going to tell sister
felicity what really happened,

But then I thought it would only
get sister Brigid into trouble.

So, I prayed that god would forgive
sister Brigid for hitting me.

Wolfe: This is
a preposterous assertion.

Why on earth would
the good sister hit you?

Because I said she shouldn't
belt Annette Farrell

For getting her catechism wrong.

Poor little innocent.
Shame on you.

She was better off with Desmond Doyle.
I can see that, now.

Wait till I get you outside!

Silence in court!

Wolfe: Evelyn Doyle,

Do you expect
this court to believe

That after she did that to you,

You prayed for her?

Yes, I did.

Wolfe: I put it to you
that you are lying.

Evelyn: Lying is a sin
against the 8th commandment.

"Thou shalt not bear false
witness against thy neighbor."

I'm surprised you don't know
that, if you're a lawyer.

(all laughing)

Sister Brigid told this court
the truth of the matter

That she picked you up
when you fell down the stairs.

Oh, no. That's not true.

Hope she goes to
confession soon.

(all laughing)

Do you want to hear
the prayer I said last night?

No, we do not.

Lynch: Not so, Mr. Wolfe.

It is material to the court's
evaluation of the child's character.

Evelyn, let us hear
your prayer, please.

"Lord god,

"you guide the universe

"with wisdom and love.

"Hear the prayer we make
to you for our country,

"the beautiful
country of Ireland.

"Through the honesty
of our citizens,

"and the wisdom
of those who govern us,

"may lasting peace be delivered,

"and truth and justice flourish.

"Amen."

(all muttering)

(sighs)

She's a credit to you.

Thank you.

Lynch: Thank you, Evelyn.
You may step down.

Canning: Well, the great day
has finally arrived.

The day Desmond Doyle
and his kids,

And indeed the whole of Ireland,

Has been waiting for.

The day when Desmond finds
out, once and for all,

Whether he will
get his kids back.

Sister, why couldn't me and
the boys go to court today?

Because they don't want a repeat of
the scenes they had the last time.

Canning: The lord mayor of
Dublin has just appeared

In his official limousine,

And a beautiful car it is, too.

I would remind you, however,
that never before,

Has a law been found repugnant

To the Irish constitution,

And that has to happen today,

If Desmond Doyle is to win.

I now call on justice Ferris

To deliver his judgment.

I am persuaded by
Mr. Wolfe's argument

On behalf of the
minister for education

That the term "parent",

In articles 41 and 42
of the constitution,

Must be held to
imply both parents.

There is no contradiction
between those articles

And section 10 of
the children's act,

And said act

Is not repugnant
to the constitution.

I, therefore, find in favor
of the defendant,

The minister for education.

(all muttering)

I'll strangle
that ferret one day.

It's 1-0 to the minister,
with 2 votes to go.

The next judge, justice Daley,
must vote for Desmond

Or it's all over for the Doyles.

Don't despair, my child.
Have faith.

Or there'll be rioting going on.

I agree with Mr. Wolfe

That the minister for
education has, at all times,

Acted in a reasonable and
conscientious manner

Within the provisions
of the children's act.

I also agree with my learned and
honorable friend, justice Ferris,

That there is
no precedent for declaring

An Irish statute repugnant to
the constitution, and...

Please god,
grant us a "however."

Therefore invalid.

However, despite
the absence of precedent,

I find Mr. Barron's
argument persuasive.

In any event,

With respect to
my learned friend, Mr. Ferris,

It is the duty of
the supreme court

Not only to follow precedent,

But to set it.

On the grounds submitted

That the children's act 1941,
section 10,

Contravenes a parent's
fundamental, god-given right

To the society of his children

And is therefore
repugnant to the constitution,

I find in favor of the
plaintiff, Desmond Doyle.

(all chattering)

Marvelous!

Children, don't you stop
praying now.

Canning:
The supreme court.

Now it all rests on the shoulders
of justice Lynch, a Kerryman.

And the tension in here
is almost unbearable.

I can't think of
anything like it,

Since Tom Connolly's
last-second penalty goal

That won Ireland the
triple crown 30 years ago.

And amazingly,

Connolly is now part of
Desmond Doyle's team.

Lynch: I have been impressed

By Desmond Doyle's diligence

And determination in rebuilding

His financial and
domestic circumstances

In the wake of his wife's
unfortunate desertion.

I have noted, too, the obvious
bonds of love and affection

Between Doyle and
his daughter, Evelyn,

Who made a deep
impression on me,

And I'm sure, on all of
us, in the witness stand.

Oh, please, no.
Don't give us a "however."

However, we are
officers of the law

And must not be
guided by sentiment.

Though Mr. Barron

Made a moving and powerful plea

On behalf of his client,

A stirring appeal to the heart,

We, as law officers, must
determine cases with the head,

Not the heart.

Tom, have we lost?

Lynch: I agree with my learned
friend, justice Ferris...

Yes, unless he says
another "however."

That it is regrettable

That no precedent has been cited

In support of
Mr. Doyle's case.

However...

(sighs)

Though no precedent
can be found in Irish law,

We can argue from
an analogous English case.

In the crown vs. Clark, 1891,

The principle of
a parent's inalienable right

To his or her children

Was enshrined in common law.

However...

Oh, no.

The parent's right could, as
common law, be overridden by statute.

However...

Yes, dear god. Yes.

Unlike the English,

We Irish have a
written constitution

So that, in the words of
Evelyn Doyle's prayer,

"truth and justice
may flourish."

I find it unarguably true,
as Mr. Barron contends,

A parent has an inalienable
and god-given right

To the society of his children.

I therefore find in favor of
the plaintiff, Mr. Doyle.

(all cheering)

We did it!

Ah!

Desmond Doyle has won!

(crowd cheering)

Glory be to god!

(cheering)

Praise be to god!

Sister, we've won.

Darling child,
don't you forget me, now.

I won't, sister.
I love you.

(all chattering)

You'll be needing
a housekeeper now, won't you?

(man whistling)

Love and glory, boys!

Love and glory! Ha!

Canning:
Legal history has been made.

(cheering)

Evelyn's won.

She's won. We can
all go home soon!

(cheering)

Daddy!

Oh. Oh, my love.
Oh, good to see you.

(chuckles)

(breathing deeply)

Desmond: Oh.

Evelyn: Dad.

(Desmond laughs)

(Evelyn chuckles)

Let me see you.

Oh, you look gorgeous.

(laughs)

♪ the time we lost

♪ you held your cross

♪ no tears did
your eyes tell

♪ the time you lost

♪ no matter
what the cost

♪ your strength,
it saw you through

Don't worry, Heidi.
I didn't forget you.

♪ But time will heal

♪ what your heart conceals

♪ and this I know too well

Let's connect
these two together now.

♪ The road you know

♪ that takes you home

♪ is waiting strong and true

Some tea, too?

♪ For this child of mine

♪ she'll forever shine

♪ angel rays

♪ watch over you

Desmond: Right, children,
come and sit down,

Turkey's ready.

Evelyn, Maurice, Dermot, come
and sit down, everybody.

Dermot: I am starving.

♪ Angel rays

Sit down. Oh!

♪ Angel rays

♪ watch over you

(music playing)