Louth councillors back intervention for Palestinian boxing trip
Cllr. Donovan told the meeting that the group are looking forward to taking part in the event organised by Irish Sport for Palestine, which will includes male and female boxers, and both youth and senior competitors.
A key part of the trip will see the group hosted by Irish Olympic champion Kellie Harrington in Dublin.
"Potentially, this will be a fantastic opportunity for the Palestinian boxers to train with and learn from some of the best boxers in the world,' said Cllr. Donovan.
'It will also give them a temporary break from the constant bombardment of their country.'
But pre-planning for the event has been overshadowed by fears over a delay in securing visas for the group.
Cllr. Donovan submitted an emergency motion at the council meeting, saying: "Following the disappointing VISA administration debacle faced by GAA Palestine over the past few weeks and the resulting heartbreak of the children and sponsors involved in the project to bring kids from Palestine to play GAA in Ireland, I am calling on this Council to write to the Minister of Justice, Jim O'Callaghan to ensure that there is no similar administrative delay by the Department of Justice when Ireland welcomes the young Palestinian Boxing team from the Aida Refugee Camp near Bethlehem.'
He said that only five of the group of 16 have had their visas approved, only because they hold non-Palestinian passports, and explained that all preparations on the Irish side, including garda vetting has taken place.
Cllr. Donovan outlined to councillors that Irish Sport advocates for the Palestinian through sport and various fundraising events, which have helped to raise awareness about the situation in Palestine.
The group has formed the Shamrock and Olive Tree Boxing project, which is planning the trip for boxers from Palestine and from Ramallah in the West Bank, to Waterford, Dublin and Louth before they head north to Belfast.
ADVERTISEMENT
Learn more
'One of the boxers is the Olympian Waseem Abu Sal, a world champion boxer, he is an Olympic athlete so to think that he is still waiting for approval.. my mind boggles,' said Cllr. Donovan.
He asked councillors to write to the Minister to 'ensure this event is brought to a smooth fruition, and there is no repeat of what happened with GAA Palestine.'
Cllr. Donovan added: ' An old coach of mine used to say that sport can change the world, and that there is nothing more uniting than sport, so I think it is extremely important that we extend the hand of friendship and solidarity with those who need it most.'
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr. Donovan said: 'I want to thank all the councillors across the chamber as they supported my motion for the Council to write to Minister Jim O'Callaghan to ensure there is no repeat of the visa debacle leaving more heartbreak with young Palestinians. They have enough to contend with.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
a few seconds ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
TD to make formal complaint after 'being pushed by garda' before All-Ireland
Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae says he has decided to make a formal complaint after allegedly being pushed by a garda before Sunday's All-Ireland final. 'I will [complain] tomorrow, guaranteed, because we did not deserve that,' the deputy told the Irish Mirror on Sunday evening, several hours after the incident in Dublin city centre. The politician was with dozens of fellow Kerry fans in the Cathedral Street street area of the inner city - beside O'Connell Street - when the incident happened. READ MORE: Tears in Croke Park as murdered mother and her two children remembered at All-Ireland final READ MORE: 'It's devastating' - Irish mum's tears over abduction of her two children The incident was caught on camera and was posted online - before quickly going viral. It had been viewed around 100,000 times on social media sites by Sunday night The footage appears to show a uniformed garda using one hand to move Deputy Healy-Rae away from him. The incident started when hundreds of Kerry fans were lining the street ahead of the Croke Park showdown with Donegal for Sam Maguire - and face off their county would later win. Danny Healy-Rae was allegedly pushed by a garda before Sunday's All-Ireland final Several fans noticed Deputy Healy-Rae - who was wearing a Kerry hat and lanyard - walking along the street. He acknowledged the cheers and waved to the fans before walking a few yards. He stopped to wave to fans again, before turning to walk down the street - which is when the incident with the garda happened. The two men walk close to each other and then the garda appears to stick out a hand to move the deputy out of his way. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week The garda then walks on, but a clearly upset Deputy Healy-Rae goes back to approach the officer. The two men talk to each other for a few seconds before they go their separate ways - while the crowd starts booing. Speaking after Kerry's 1-26 to 0-19 victory over Donegal, Deputy Healy-Rae said he was disappointed by the officer's actions. And he said he would be making a complaint on Monday morning. Such complaints are handled by Fiosru, the independent policing watchdog. He said: 'I will tomorrow. I am too busy today, I have a lot of calls there to answer and stuff. I will tomorrow, guaranteed, because we did not deserve that. We came up for no trouble - we came up supporting our team. I expected better from the gardai.' Independent Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae has said he will now make a complaint over the incident. (Image: Gareth Chaney Collins) The Kerry TD praised said the other gardai on duty were fine. He said: 'There were other lovely gardai there and they were doing their duty. Deputy Healy-Rae said he had been inundated with comments from other Kerry fans - including those who witnessed the incident. He said: 'They are all talking to me about it. They booed the garda and everything at that stage. I am disappointed with his behaviour. I did nothing to deserve that. There was no trouble. I just don't know.' The Irish Mirror contacted gardai for comment on Sunday evening. A spokeswoman said in a statement: 'An Garda Síochána does not comment on unverified social media content. Any person who wishes to report the conduct of a member of An Garda Síochána can do so by contacting Fiosrú.' Sign up to the Irish Mirror's Courts and Crime newsletter here and get breaking crime updates and news from the courts direct to your inbox.
The Journal
an hour ago
- The Journal
Padraig Harrington wins Senior Open
LAST UPDATE | 34 mins ago The 42 PADRAIG HARRINGTON HAS won the Senior Open by three stokes after a final day round of 67 at Sunningdale Old Course in Berkshire. The 53-year-old won the US Senior Open for the second time last month and has been a runner-up at the Senior Open in 2022 and 2023. Harrington finished on 16-under overall this weekend, three clear of Denmark's Thomas Bjorn and the American Justin Leonard on 13-under. Advertisement The Dubliner's 67 today followed rounds of 65 yesterday, 65 on Friday and 67 on Thursday. Final leaderboard More to follow . . . Written by The 42 and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here .
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
More protests held outside migrant hotels across UK as anger over crisis continues to rise
MORE protests have been held outside migrant hotels across the country yesterday as anger over the issue continues to rise. Another demonstration was held nearby to the Brittania International Hotel in Canary Wharf, East London — which had been revealed earlier this week to be Advertisement 4 Further protests have been held outside migrant hotels across the UK Credit: Gary Stone 4 A man is held by cops during the demonstration by The Bell Hotel, Epping Credit: LNP 4 The two groups of protesters in Epping face off against each other Credit: PA The large group of various ethnicities held a banner saying: 'Stop calling us far right. "Protect our women and children.' Meanwhile, rival groups clashed outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex. Around 300 Advertisement READ MORE ON MIGRANT PROTESTS Around 500 officers from 31 forces across It was the He has denied three charges. Elsewhere, around 250 protested near the Brook Hotel in Norwich, while more than 200 stood outside a migrant hotel in Altrincham, Gtr Manchester. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Live Blog Exclusive Other gatherings over the weekend have been reported in Migrant hotel protests spread across the country with more planned today as cops clamp down on weekend of stand-offs 4 A demonstration was held nearby to the Brittania International Hotel in Canary Wharf, East London Credit: Gary Stone Four in 10 sex attack charges non-Brits Exclusive by Jack Elsom NEARLY four in ten people charged over sex attacks in London in the last seven years are foreign nationals, police figures show. Non-Brits are thought to be behind 2,809 out of 7,798 such crimes — 36 per cent — but make up less than a quarter of the city's population. A further 358 charged are of unknown nationality, meaning the foreigner total may be higher. Brits accounted for 4,631 charges. The largest cohort of foreign suspects were Romanian at 308, but Afghans are the most prolific by share of population at 89. The Centre for Migration Control obtained figures on nationalities of those charged with sex offences since 2018. It said: 'The spike in sexual offences against women and girls is directly attributable to our open borders.' The Home Office said: 'We continue to deport foreign nationals who commit heinous crimes in the UK.' Fury over Sharia law job advert A JOB ad for a 'Sharia law administrator' on the Department for Work and Pensions website sparked fury. Islamic Sharia law is followed by many Muslims around the world — though it is not accepted in the UK. The Manchester Sharia Council job pays £23,500 a year to help provide guidance on matrimonial matters under Sharia law. It requires a diploma or degree in Sharia law but only 'familiarity' with our legal system. Reform UK's Nigel Farage warned: 'Our country and its values are being destroyed'. Tory Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'This is wrong. 'We only have one set of laws in the country. No other law should be recognised by the state.'
