Mayor calls for reversal of Palestine GAA visa snub
'I am calling on the Dublin Government to listen to those voices, to show compassion and decency and to ensure visas are secured and these children are welcomed to our shores'
Mayor of Derry and Strabane Ruairi McHugh has joined calls for the Dublin Government to reverse the decision to deny visas to 33 Palestinian children who had been due to visit Ireland to enjoy our national games here.
Mayor McHugh said: "These children have worked so hard over the last year to learn our national games under the most horrendous conditions and they had been greatly looking forward to this visit.
"Gaels throughout the country, including many from our own council area have been fundraising and preparing events to provide respite for these children from the horor they are enduring in their homeland of Palestine.
"The decision to deny visas to these children has unsurprisingly caused great anger and upset to many throughout our district and beyond.
"I am calling on the Dublin Government to listen to those voices, to show compassion and decency and to ensure visas are secured and these children are welcomed to our shores."