University of Galway Students’ Union Voices Anger at Visa Refusal
University of Galway Students’ Union have joined in voicing their anger that 97 long stay visas have been refused to Palestinian students who were accepted to study in Ireland*. There has been widespread shock and disbelief in the actions of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration in refusing the visas. The applicants are all in receipt of full or partial scholarships awarded from their institutions.
The students can only submit their visa application documents by postal service but there no longer exists a functioning postal administration in Gaza.** University of Galway is part of the Universities of Sanctuary initiative which develops pathways for welcoming asylum seekers or refugees into third level institutions across Ireland.
Students’ Union President Seán de Búrca said: “We are aware of one student who was accepted to University of Galway but their visa was refused and there may well be more. The Universities want these students here. Students’ Unions want these students here. Ireland wants them here. But Jim O’Callaghan doesn’t.”
Students’ Union Vice President/Welfare and Equality Officer Molly Hickey added: “Despite living through a genocide these students have not only managed to excel at their studies but they’ve been accepted and funded to attend Universities in Ireland. It’s criminal that the Irish Government is putting them through further hardship when this might be their one chance to escape the horrors of life in Palestine.”
*Source The University Times
**Source Irish Legal News
Fearg Léirithe ag Comhaltas na Mac Léinn in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe faoin Diúltú Víosaí
Tá fearg léirithe ag Comhaltas na Mac Léinn in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe in éineacht le neart eile faoin 97 víosa fadchuairte atá diúltaithe do mhic léinn de bhunadh na Palaistíne ar glacadh lena n-iarratas ar theacht le bheith ag staidéar in Éirinn*. Tá diúltú na víosaí ag an Roinn Dlí agus Cirt, Gnóthaí Baile agus Imirce i ndiaidh stangadh a bhaint as daoine go forleathan, gníomh ar deacair é a chreidiúint. Tá lánscoláireachtaí nó páirtscoláireachtaí — arna mbronnadh ag a n-institiúidí — bainte amach ag na hiarratasóirí ar fad.
An t-aon mhodh atá ag na mic léinn a gcáipéisí chun iarratas a dhéanamh ar víosa a sheoladh ná an tseirbhís poist, ach níl aon riarachán poist ag feidhmiú in Gaza níos mó.** Tá Ollscoil na Gaillimhe páirteach sa tionscnamh Ollscoileanna Tearmainn ina gcuirtear conairí ar fáil le fáilte a chur roimh iarrthóirí tearmainn nó dídeanaithe in institiúidí tríú leibhéal ar fud na hÉireann.
Seo a dúirt Uachtarán Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn, Seán de Búrca: “Tá muid ar an eolas faoi mhac léinn amháin ar glacadh le hiarratas an duine ar Ollscoil na Gaillimhe ach ar diúltaíodh dá víosa. Gach seans go bhfuil daoine eile ann. Tá na hOllscoileanna ag iarraidh go dtiocfaidh na mic léinn seo anseo. Tá Aontais na Mac Léinn ag iarraidh go dtiocfaidh na mic léinn seo anseo. Tá muintir na hÉireann ag iarraidh go dtiocfaidh na mic léinn seo anseo. Ach níl Jim O’Callaghan.”
Agus dúirt Leas-Uachtarán Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn/an tOifigeach Leasa agus Comhionannais, Molly Hickey an méid seo: “In ainneoin go bhfuil cinedhíothú ar bun ina n-áit dúchais, tá éacht as cuimse déanta ag na mic léinn seo ina gcuid staidéir. Ar a bharr sin, tá glactha lena n-iarratas agus tá maoiniú faighte acu le freastal ar Ollscoileanna in Éirinn. Is mór an náire é go bhfuil tuilleadh anró á chur ag Rialtas na hÉireann orthu, go háirithe toisc go bhféadfadh sé nach mbeidh aon seans eile acu éalú ó uafás an tsaoil sa Phalaistín.”
*Foinse: The University Times
**Foinse: Irish Legal News
