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Irish Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Post
GAA Palestine 'turn adversity into opportunity' with Jordan trip after Ireland tour axed
A GROUP of young GAA players from Palestine who were denied the chance to visit Ireland this summer have begun a 10-day tour of Jordan. GAA Palestine was forced to abandon a two-week tour of Ireland after their visa applications were rejected and it was not left with enough time to appeal the decision. The party of 33 children and 12 coaches were due to arrive into Dublin on Friday but they instead travelled to Jordan, heralding 'a new chapter of hope and resilience for GAA Palestine'. 'Unwavering spirit' GAA Palestine was founded last year by Stephen Redmond, an Irishman living in England, who travelled to the West Bank hoping to provide some respite to those living in the war-torn region. It had planned a two-week tour of Ireland but the group claimed its visa applications were rejected after it had already paid €38,000 on flights. After late efforts to salvage the trip and receiving widespread support in Ireland, the group conceded on Wednesday 'with a very heavy heart' that the tour had to be cancelled. "While we are beyond devastated, we remain committed to our mission and will now proceed with Plan B, exploring other destinations where our children will be welcomed and celebrated," read a statement from GAA Palestine. View this post on Instagram A post shared by GAA Palestine (@gaa_palestine) True to the organisation's word, it arranged a 10-day tour of Jordan, where they will meet with a number of GAA stars. "Despite the heart-breaking decision to cancel their Irish tour, GAA Palestine has turned adversity into an opportunity for breakthrough," read a statement on Friday. "We are proud to announce the launch of a 10-day summer camp in Amman, Jordan, where our GAA Palestine players and mentors will experience the joy of sport, friendship and cultural exchange — a testament to their unwavering spirit. 'This extraordinary journey will feature legendary Irish hurling icons — Dublin Inter-county players Conor Donohue and Fergal Whitey will join the tour, along with former Waterford Inter-county player Shane Casey." 'Learn and grow' The Inter-county players were due to arrive in Amman on Saturday to lead the camp, while the party will watch Sunday's All-Ireland SHC final between Cork and Tipperary on a big screen. Other activities planned for the trip include visits to the Amman Citadel, the King Abdullah I Mosque and Souk Mango, one of the oldest markets in Amman. The 33 children will also get to experience zip-lining, buggy rides and climbing adventures as well as trips to amusement and water parks. "Most importantly, they will learn and grow through coaching sessions led by our committed volunteers and coaches," added the statement.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
GAA Palestine travel to Jordan for alternative summer camp after Irish visas refused
Young members of the GAA Palestine tour with chairman Stephen Redmond and coach Mohammad from Moataz Sarsour Club in Al Am'ari Camp (GAA Palestine/PA) GAA Palestine said its players and mentors have arrived in Jordan for a summer camp after their planned tour of Ireland was cancelled over visa denials. The group, which includes 33 Palestinian children and young teenagers, was scheduled to arrive in Dublin on Friday, however, they were denied entry by the Department of Justice.
Irish Post
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Post
GAA Palestine 'beyond devastated' that children's tour to Ireland will not go ahead
AN ORGANISATION set up to bring Gaelic Games to Palestine has said it is 'beyond devastated' that a planned summer tour of Ireland will no longer go ahead. GAA Palestine was founded last year by Stephen Redmond, an Irishman living in England, who travelled to the West Bank hoping to provide some respite to those living in the war-torn region. However, after delays over visa decisions and an ongoing appeals process, the organisation has said the window of departure for their trip has passed for the party of 33 children and 12 coaches. "It is with a very heavy heart that we announce that the planned trip to Ireland can no longer proceed," said a statement from the organisation this afternoon. Appeal The GAA Palestine party had been due to travel to Ireland on July 18 for a two-week tour of the country. However, the organisation said it was informed on July 10 that their visa applications has been rejected by the Irish Immigration Service. The organisation said it had already spent €38,000 on flights after claiming it was told by the Irish Embassy in Tel Aviv that tickets must be bought before visas could be approved. GAA Palestine said it was told some visas were denied due to a lack of information but claimed it had supplied all documentation and was not advised on what was supposedly missing. Over the weekend, the case received support from high-profile figures including Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and Fianna Fáil Lord Mayor of Cork, Fergal Dennehy. Demonstrations were also held at Croke Park at the weekend in support of the group. After GAA Palestine members visited the Department of Justice on Monday, the organisation said it received an email outlining the appeals process. However, the indefinite amount of time needed to see an appeal through meant the issue was unlikely to be resolved before the travel date of July 18. The organisation lodged an appeal anyway but confirmed today that the delay has forced it to cancel the trip. It said that even if visas are ultimately approved, it can no longer keep to its connecting itinerary, despite delaying the departure date. 'Deeply disappointed' "The delay stemming from issues with the Department of Justice has ultimately resulted in this difficult decision, as time has run out to make alternative arrangements,' read a statement. It added: "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. "We have been working diligently for months with the embassy in Israel. "Despite numerous appeals over the past week requesting engagement, we have received no response from the Department of Justice. "Our legal team has also attempted to communicate directly with the Department, but we have once again been ignored. "We are profoundly upset for all our GAA Palestine members, for the clubs that went to great lengths to organise this meaningful trip, and for the families who generously volunteered to host our touring party — transforming their homes with bunk beds and painting walls to welcome these young GAA players from the West Bank to Ireland. "To our sponsors for their generosity, we do hope we can work together again in the future. "While we are beyond devastated, we remain committed to our mission and will now proceed with Plan B, exploring other destinations where our children will be welcomed and celebrated." While not addressing the case specifically, Jim O'Callaghan, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, told RTÉ that everyone entering the country must comply with immigration rules. "There is a requirement to provide documentation if you are coming into Ireland seeking a short stay visa," he said. "In particular for children coming in, there are very specific rules in terms of consent of parents and guardians." He added: "No matter how sympathetic the applicants are, we have to make sure the rules are applied." See More: GAA Palestine, Jim O'Callaghan
RTÉ News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Visa appeal timeframe 'prevents' trip, says GAA Palestine
GAA Palestine has said it has been told by the Department of Justice that a process to appeal the denial of visas for their trip this month would take an "indefinite amount of time" and so "effectively prevents" the team's scheduled trip to Ireland from going ahead. A team of 33 children and 14 mentors were due to travel to Ireland for a summer tour this Friday 18 July, but were denied entry. Last week, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration cited a lack of compliance to visa application criteria as reasons for denying the visas. The GAA Palestine organisation said it would be appealing the decision. However in a statement last night, it expressed "outrage" over the Department of Justice's handling of the issue, saying it was "profoundly disappointed" over its "refusal to facilitate" the trip. It said that despite numerous attempts to engage, the department provided an appeals process that "guarantees the trip cannot proceed within the timeframe required". "We requested the Department of Justice to engage directly with us to verify and provide assurance that all documentation was in order, but our efforts were met with silence," it said. The organisation's executive travelled to Dublin to seek clarity and a resolution to the case, but said despite assurances from a secretary within the department that they would meet a senior officer, they instead received an email directing them to an appeals process. "This process, we are told, will take an indefinite amount of time and effectively prevents the team from travelling on 18th July." The organisation also said that it stands to lose €38,000 which was spent on tickets for flights to Ireland, while it considers alternative locations for a summer camp. It has called on Irish authorities to reconsider their visa application and facilitate the team's trip. The organisation's founder Stephen Redmond said they were "deeply disheartened and outraged". "Despite providing all necessary documentation and engaging in good faith, we have been met with dismissiveness and an appeals process that, in reality, guarantees our trip will not happen. This is not just a logistical setback; it's a blatant disregard for fairness, transparency, and the spirit of sport that unites us all." Mr Redmond said the organisation's executive will remain in Dublin and are hopeful that a resolution can be found. "We genuinely want to come together and work constructively to remedy this situation. We are ready and available to engage in meaningful dialogue and to explore any options that might allow our players to participate," he said. "Our players deserve better, and we will continue to fight for their right to participate and showcase their talent." In a statement, the department said it appreciated the decision to refuse the applications had caused disappointment, and added: "These applications were given very careful consideration and the reasons for their refusal have been communicated in the decision letter. "Each visa application is decided on its own merits. However, it is the case that the organisation of an event, no matter how good the intention, does not guarantee that a visa will be subsequently granted. "Applications made on behalf of minors who are not travelling in the company of their parents must be supported with evidence that appropriate child protection measures are in place during the visit. In all cases, evidence of financial means, employment or other ties that indicate a person intends to return home are important criteria." The department said the visa appeals process allows applicants to address any factors of the original refusal decision and have that application considered again. The statement added: "No appeal has been received in this case and no new material has been submitted – any appeal received will be looked at immediately."
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
GAA Palestine denied visas for summer tour of Ireland
A group of players and mentors from GAA Palestine have had their visa applications denied ahead of a summer tour in the Republic of group of 47 Palestinian young people and coaches from the West Bank were scheduled to participate in a tour of the country later this Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration said that a lack of compliance to visa application criteria was the reason for visa Palestine have said they are "deeply disappointed and shocked" by the decision. Last week, the club changed plans to travel to Northern Ireland due to "unexpected" British visa delays. The club said the visa applications were submitted in mid-May, with "comprehensive documentation" which included detailed plans for visits to various GAA clubs across added that the applicants, comprising 33 children, had fulfilled all requested requirements and provided all necessary club said it was "under the impression that all necessary documentation and information had been provided and met the requirements for visa approval as stated by the Irish Embassy in Israel." 'Completely devastated' The Chairperson of GAA Palestine, Stephen Redmond said a volunteer was sent to the West Bank to assist with the application process."Nonetheless, GAA Palestine remains committed to collaborating closely with the Department of Justice to resolve this matter swiftly," he said. "We have a dedicated team of volunteers ready to respond and take immediate action."Mr Redmond said volunteers across Ireland are "utterly and completely devastated" by the denial of the tour was scheduled to begin on 18 July, with over 100 Irish families volunteering to host the Palestinian group, and numerous GAA clubs fundraising to support the visit. "The event was set to promote cultural exchange, friendship, and mutual understanding, and its cancellation is a significant setback for all involved," Mr Redmond said. What has the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration said? In a statement the department said: "Each visa application is decided on its own merits."Confirming that appropriate child protection requirements are in place is essential when considering visa applications for minors."This includes a requirement that a child is travelling with their parents or an appropriate guardian, which requires additional documents to be verified such as birth certificates and consent letters," it added."In adult cases, evidence of financial means, employment or other ties that indicate a person intends to return home are important criteria. These help to establish that a person has a legitimate reason to come to Ireland, and that they will comply with the conditions of a short-term visa."An application will be refused if it cannot demonstrate compliance with such conditions. An appeals process is available to anyone who has a visa application refused." 'Incomprehensible' Sinn Féin TD (MP) Matt Carthy said: "It is incomprehensible that a resolution could not be found to address any issues with visa applications."Carthy said he wrote to relevant ministers three weeks ago urging them to ensure that the visa process was "concluded swiftly" but received no called on Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan to urgently intervene and review the decision, adding that the children involved "deserve more than bureaucratic refusals".Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney said the government should be "moving heaven and earth" to ensure the group can travel to the country."For the department to raise issues with their paperwork now, days before they are due to fly to Ireland, is both heartless and cruel. "If there were any issues, they should have been raised long ago."She added that the government regularly uses strong language when it talks about Gaza and Palestine but "it is never followed up by action".Gibney said that the visa denial treats the group with "suspicion and disdain" and "it will be a stain on this government that will never be erased".
