A struggling Dublin tradesman and father of three, Desmond Doyle is left by his wife to raise their children alone. But, according to Irish law in the 1950s, this situation is unacceptable and the law dictates that his children be removed and placed in Catholic orphanages. With the help of a friend, Bernadette, and Nick, a lawyer, Desmond begins a battle for custody and, in doing so, changes many other things.