GAA Palestine’s Ireland tour cancelled after visa issues

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.

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.”