A 21-year-old Down syndrome athlete from Palestine is being forced to stay at home after being refused permission by Israeli authorities to leave for the Special Olympics. Carl O'Brien reports.
Mr Lyad Abuelkheir, who is due to compete in the handball competition, was not allowed to cross the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt despite holding an Irish visa.
It is unclear why Israeli authorities blocked the athlete's entry while other members of the team were allowed to cross the border.
The remainder of the 15-strong group has arrived in their host town of Kinsale, Co Cork.
The head of the Palestinian delegation, Mr Jousef Shehada, said the team was deeply disappointed but that the gratitude of Kinsale locals had helped provide a major morale boost to the team.
Mr Boaz Rodkin, a counsellor at the Israeli embassy in Dublin, said they were still looking for an explanation from officials on the ground, but he was hopeful the athlete could still participate.
"We think it's an event of huge importance to all the athletes and we don't wish to see anybody in a situation where they are unable to participate," Mr Rodkin said.
The Irish embassy in Tel Aviv has also been in contact with Israeli government officials in a bid to resolve the situation.
The chairman of the Kinsale host town committee, Mr Gary Fitzsimons, said the athlete was unable to travel independently and any new arrangements would have to include an assistant, who would also require security clearance.
"We'd like to have had a full team and now we've been deprived of one of the most important members, even though we were promised by the Israeli embassy that we'd get this disabled lad out after a lot of negotiations and planning," Mr Fitzsimons said.
There was also deep disappointment after the arrival of a number of teams including Libya, Sierra Leone, Cameroon and Ghana was delayed following travel and visa difficulties.
The teams will miss out on participation in the host town programme but it is expected that most will arrive in time for the Games which begin with the opening ceremony on Saturday, June 21st.
Ms Kathleen Collier, spokeswoman for the Templemore host town committee, which was due to host the Libyan team, said the community was "dumbfounded" at the news.
"There were tears in people's eyes when we heard," she said.
"The town is looking so beautiful, everyone helped to make flags and the place is awash with green, the colour of the Libyan flag."
A programme of events, which had been planned for more than two years, included special receptions, a tour of local schools and a parade through the town.
Castleblaney, Co Monaghan, had also been preparing for months to welcome the Sierra Leone team but received word yesterday that the seven members of the delegation would not be arriving.
"We're extremely disappointed," said Mr Tommy McGuire, chairman of the Castleblaney host town committee.
"They'll miss out on a memorable welcome, but it's great that they'll at least make it to the games.
"The town is covered in bunting and the schools have big banners up which read 'ceád míle fáilte Sierra Leone'. Everyone has put an incredible amount of time into this. Hopefully they'll make it down here for a short visit," he said.
The chairman of the Special Olympics, Mr Denis O'Brien, yesterday said he expected "99 per cent" of 7,000 athletes due to take part in the games would be able to compete once the visa and travel issues were resolved.