
Desmond Doyle is devastated when his wife abandons their family on the day after Christmas. His unemployment, and the fact that there is no woman in the house to care for the children—Evelyn, Dermot and Maurice—make it clear to the authorities this is an untenable situation. The Catholic Church and the Irish courts decide to put the Doyle children into Church-run orphanages.

Desmond Doyle

Nick Barron

Bernadette Beattie

Michael Beattie

Senior Counsel Mr. Wolfe

Evelyn Doyle

Thomas Connolly
Dermot Doyle
Maurice Doyle
Charlotte Doyle

Henry Doyle
Mrs. Daisley

Inspector Logan
District Judge
Brother Eustace

Sister Brigid

Sister Theresa

Sister Felicity

Father O'Malley

Fergal
Mary
Annette Farrell
Lauren
Pub Musician
Pub Musician

Miss Gilhooly
Gamekeeper

Minister of Education
Justice Ferris
Justice Hall
Justice McLaughlin

Hugh Canning
Honest Joe O'Leary

Irish Times Reporter
Justice Lynch
Justice Daley
Slippery Sam

Children's Court Usher (uncredited)