GAA Palestine to appeal Irish visa denial ahead of summer tour

After the Irish Immigration Service denied visa applications for their summer tour of Ireland, GAA Palestine has said it is working to appeal the decision.

The announcement that the team of 33 children and 14 mentors had been denied entry to Ireland was released on GAA Palestine's social media this morning. The team was set to arrive on July 18.

They said their applications were submitted to the Irish embassy in Tel Aviv in early May.

A mere week before the team's travel plans, the Department of Justice issued a refusal letter stating that their submissions contained insufficient documentation, GAA Palestine said.

The letter reportedly followed weeks of waiting, in which the group posted about their struggles communicating with the Immigration Service; the group said they resubmitted their applications multiple times, as requests for additional documentation often listed documents they had already provided.

The documentation requested in the past included English-language copies of the team's birth certificates, according to GAA Palestine. Now, the Department of Justice says they must be issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a detail they claim was not communicated originally.

Additionally, the group said the Department of Justice has requested proof of vetting of the team's host families in Ireland, which was conducted through the GAA and individual clubs in various counties.

Claire Liddy, international spokesperson for GAA Palestine, spoke to RTÉ's Morning Ireland about the situation this morning.

"Most of the stuff they've either received, or they never asked for and they never communicated," Liddy said.

"That's why we're so disappointed, is we felt that, you know, we were being stonewalled, it was being delayed."

Liddy emphasised that the group provided every piece of documentation that was asked for.

Though Liddy admitted the situation is a challenge, she said the team still has hope.

"It's not looking good, but if the Palestinians have taught us anything, this was the beginning of a dream and we will not let this stop us," Liddy said.

"I just want to say thanks. I know that people are heartbroken, and to the volunteers, the clubs, the GAA council, the host families, and all the generous people and organisations who have contacted us, we are fighting this."

The Department of Justice issued a statement last night stating that 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," The statement read.

The statement described the requirements for a visa, and said that an application will be refused if it cannot comply with such requirements.

Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald spoke out against the decision in a post on X.

What on Earth is the Irish government at?!
They say they stand with Palestine but delay visas for a small number of children seriously injured in Israel’s genocide coming to Ireland for urgent medical treatment
Now, they refuse visas for children living through a daily onslaught… https://t.co/rriZ9a1kWz

— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) July 9, 2025

While answering press questions in the Dáil today, Tánaiste Simon Harris defended the decision as being in line with the meticulous process of issuing a visa.

"Unfortunately, not all people will be able to demonstrate that they satisfy the conditions to be granted a visa to come to Ireland," Harris said.

"The granting of a visa is a very important legal document in our migration system... These applications were given very careful consideration."