'Families are being destroyed' Laois protest aims to force change in family law courts

People across Laois are invited to take part in a peaceful solidarity walk in Portlaoise as part of a national campaign to force change in Ireland’s family courts.

People across Laois are invited to take part in Walk in Our Shoes 2026, a peaceful one-mile solidarity walk taking place in all 26 counties at the end of September.

Walk in Our Shoes claims not to be an organisation but a “grassroots coming together” of people concerned about it claims to be a lack of justice, transparency and accountability in Ireland’s family courts. The campaign organisers say they are calling for a family court system that is, in their words, “transparent, trauma-informed and trustworthy”.

Maria is a Laois coordinator for the events.

"It's only when Family Court comes to your own doorstep that you realise what happens behind closed doors. The legal teams go home, but families are left to pick up the pieces. Who answers the phone at 2 am? Who simply listens and says, 'I'm here. I believe you.' Many people have no one. Families are being destroyed by a system that's supposed to protect and support them," she claimed in a poster promoting the walk.

Participants are asked to dress in black and carry children’s shoes, symbolising the childhoods shaped—and sometimes lost—through family court decisions.

The Laois walk takes place at 11 am on Sunday, September 27. It begins at Tea Lane, Portlaoise Eircode R32 XK65 at 11 am, proceeding to the nearby Portlaoise Courthouse

The organisers say no registration is required, and everyone is welcome.

A national walk will also take place in Dublin on Wednesday, 30 September, assembling at the Four Courts at 11.30 am and departing at noon for Leinster House.