Palestinian Gaelic sports team denied visas for Ireland tour

A Palestinian Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) team has been forced to cancel a long-anticipated summer tour to the Republic of Ireland after visa applications were rejected, leaving players and coaches “beyond devastated.”

The club, based in the West Bank, said it was “deeply disappointed” after Ireland’s Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration turned down its initial visa applications earlier this month, citing “a lack of compliance with visa application criteria.”

The group, comprising 47 players and coaches, filed an appeal, insisting it had “worked diligently for months with the embassy in Israel” to meet all the requirements. Despite assurances that the appeal would be reviewed, the club stated that time had run out, as the group was scheduled to leave the West Bank on Wednesday.

In a statement, the club warned that even a last-minute approval would not salvage the trip. “Even if visas are issued at this late stage, delays at checkpoints and borders are likely to cause severe disruptions and extended delays,” it said. “Giving the children hope again, only for that hope to be dashed once more, would be too cruel.”

The cancellation has left the club thousands of euros out of pocket after booking flights to meet visa requirements. A spokesperson said the team had lost 38,000 euros (USD 44,000) and accused authorities of ignoring attempts by its legal team to communicate directly.

“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.

Despite the setback, the club is moving ahead with “plan B,” exploring alternative destinations.

- Irish families left disappointed -

The tour, which was due to start on 18 July, had been eagerly anticipated by Irish supporters, with more than 100 families volunteering to host the Palestinian players and several GAA clubs, especially in Belfast and Londonderry, raising funds to support the trip.

An earlier Northern Ireland leg of the tour had already been canceled at the start of July due to “unexpected” visa delays, but the club had hoped to proceed with the Ireland visit.

- Irish government defends decision -

Ireland’s Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan defended the handling of the applications, stressing that rules could not be bent under public pressure.

“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 confirmed that the reasons for the initial refusal had been explained in a letter to the club and noted that the appeal had been processed swiftly.

“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.”

For now, the players, who had trained for months in anticipation of the trip, will have to settle for alternative travel plans while supporters in Ireland express disappointment at the outcome.