Blood/DNA
test evidence
DNA
PATERNITY TESTING IN IRELAND
Useful
address
Where
the court has to decide who is the father of the child, it can
direct that any party to the proceedings give blood samples
for the purposes of carrying out blood tests. Usually the mother
the alleged father and the child will be directed to give a
blood sample / mouth
swab.
Where
a person refuses to give a blood sample, the court can draw
whatever inferences it thinks proper in the circumstances of
the particular case.
For
instance, if an alleged father refused to give a blood sample,
the court might take the view that he was afraid the tests would
show that he was in fact the father.
If
a mother refused to give a sample, the court may take the view
that she was afraid the tests might prove her allegation, that
the named man was not the father.
Testing
Procedures
A
child must be three months old before blood testing can be undertaken
but the mouth swab test can be done from birth. For identification
purposes photos of those giving samples are required.
Paternity
testing is also available through the Blackrock
Clinic in Dublin where a blood sample is required. Photographs
are taken if the two parties attend separately. A GP, health
care professional or solicitor must refer you and the cost is
€1,030.
The Cytogenetics
Unit at NUI, Galway, in collaboration with Cellmark Diagnostics
(Orchid BioSciences), is now offering a paternity testing service
in Ireland using DNA profiling of samples obtained by gently
swabbing the inside of the mouth with a cotton bud.
The
service is totally confidential and discreet and appointments
are available for any day of the week.
There
are no restrictions on the age at which a child can be tested.
When
mother, child and putative father are tested, this procedure
will provide proof of paternity with a certainty in excess of
99.99% or can exclude paternity with a certainty of 100%
Following
the taking of a mouth swab sample, testing for a standard paternity
case takes approximately 2 weeks.
For
further information or to make an appointment please contact:
Professor
James A. Houghton,
Cytogenetics Unit,
NUI, Galway
Telephone: (091) 750384
Fax: (091) 750598
E Mail: jim.houghton@nuigalway.ie
Note:
all costs mentioned are approximation only always check
with service provider for up to date figures
Useful
Addresses
The
Cytogenetics Unit at NUI, Galway
Parentage
Testing Services
15 Holly Park Avenue
Blackrock,
Co. Dublin
(01) 289 4342
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