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GAA Palestine's Ireland tour cancelled after visa issues

Jake Wood
BBC News NI
GAA Palestine/PA Wire A group of young children from GAA Palestine pose alongside two adults. The children are holding up their fingers in "peace" signs and three at the front are holding hurls. The two adults are also holding their fingers up in "peace" signs.GAA Palestine/PA Wire
A team of 33 children and their 14 mentors– they had planned to travel from the West Bank to the Republic of Ireland for a summer tour around GAA clubs where they would stay with families who had volunteered to host them

A group of players and mentors from a Palestinian GAA club based in the West Bank have said they are "deeply disappointed" they cannot travel to the Republic of Ireland for a summer tour as planned.

The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration had denied their visa applications earlier in July, saying there was a lack of compliance with visa application criteria.

The club then lodged an appeal, saying it had "worked diligently for months with the embassy in Israel" to adequately complete the visas.

The department said it would review the decision, but time has run out as the touring party of 47 Palestinians - children and coaches - were set leave the West Bank on Wednesday.

In a statement, the club said: "Even if visas are issued at this late stage, delays at checkpoints and borders are likely to cause severe disruptions and extended delays.

"Giving the children hope again, only for that hope to be dashed once more, would be too cruel."

A spokesperson for the club said it was "beyond devastated", but would proceed with a "plan B" exploring alternative destinations.

"We are deeply disappointed by the narrative that has circulated suggesting that necessary documentation was not provided or that we were late in the submission of our appeal," the group said.

GAA Palestine said its legal team attempted to communicate directly with the Department of Justice but had "once again been ignored".

The tour was scheduled to begin on 18 July, with more than 100 Irish families volunteering to host the Palestinian group, and numerous GAA clubs fundraising to support the visit, including clubs from Belfast and Londonderry.

The Northern Ireland leg of the trip was scrapped at the start of July due to "unexpected" visa delays, but the club had still hoped to travel to the Republic of Ireland.

A spokesperson for Palestine GAA said the club was €38,000 (£33,000) out of pocket as it had paid for flights as part of a visa requirement to prove travel had been booked.

PA Media Jim O'Callaghan is wearing a dark suit, white shirt and pink tie. He has dark short hair and is clean shaven. He is speaking with a serious expression, looking to the right of the camera. PA Media
Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan rejected criticism from representatives of GAA Palestine over his department's handling of visa applications

Speaking earlier, Ireland's Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said all applications had to be assessed "fairly and accurately" by the department.

"No matter who you are, you have to comply with the immigration rules," he said.

"I'm not going to change those rules simply because there is media pressure put on me.

"There are rules for coming into Ireland. There are immigration rules."

"In particular for children coming in, there are very specific rules in terms of consent of parents and guardians."

The Department of Justice said the reason for the visa applications had been refused had been set out in a letter to Palestine GAA.

"The visa appeals process allows applicants to address any factors of the original refusal decision and have that application considered again," a spokesperson said.

"An appeal was received by the Department on the afternoon of 15 July from the group's solicitor which was acknowledged and has been receiving immediate attention."