Door slams on TD's US visit

Stephen Fernane

March 24 2018 12:00 AM

The failure of US authorities to issue Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris with a visa in time for his planned St Patrick's Day visit to Boston could have cost the county dear, he told The Kerryman this week.

Deputy Ferris had a busy ten-day visit to the heart of Irish America planned, during which he expected to meet with the mayors of Boston, Tampa and Cinncinati among other luminaries.

But despite having appiled for a visa from the US Embassy in January, none had issued by the time of his planned departure on Thursday, March 8.

He was the most senior of a number of former IRA prisoners, now representing Sinn Féin, who failed to get clearance.

The deputy's daughter Toireasa, who applied at the same time, secured her visa in ten days and travelled last week.

"I was deeply disappointed not to have been able to travel as I had a very busy visit planned in which I was to hold a number of fairly high-level meetings with the mayors of Boston, Tampa, Cinncinati, congressman Richie Neal and others," Deputy Ferris said.

"It's a big week for Irish America and a big opportunity to help drive enterprise and investment in Ireland...it's very important to build and maintain relationships and I had hoped to help promote tourism, particularly to Kerry, as well as helping the plight of the undocumented," he added.

Kerryman