Madam, – Shame on Ireland! Just like Colin, Ben and Gavin (“Texan backpackers sent packing by immigration”, July 8th), we have travellers entering our airports daily and by the thousands.
We don’t put them back on the planes and send them home.
There is no reason these guys should be denied a dream of hiking around Europe, especially Ireland.
Being of Irish descent, I am appalled at the greeting they received at Dublin airport by customs.
What kid hasn’t wanted to trek through foreign lands, just for the fun of it? These guys saved up for a year, sold belongings, and planned this trip of a lifetime. Should we round up all the Irish and make sure they have proper addresses? That would be stupid. When you want to hike through a country there are many hostels, homes and hotels in which to reside.
Custom officials must have been out to lunch.
These guys showed all the proof they needed in order to gain entrance.
They had plenty of money and were willing to open their bank accounts to prove just that. So the problem lies with Ireland.
Not only should these three friends get a free trip through Ireland... they should be reimbursed for the $1,900 for the emergency flight back to the US, compliments of the Irish Government.
Ireland is a beautiful country and it should welcome any visitor. In these down times it should appreciate the money that comes along with visitors.
These young men should be looking at all the villages, greenery and cliffs, instead they are sitting at home wondering what happened and why. – Yours, etc,