Dubliner bans Irish from his Aussie hostel

A hostel in Australia owned by a Dublin man has banned all Irish backpackers, after an upsurge in drunken and antisocial behaviour.

Thomas Dunne said he is no loner willing to take in young Irish tourists at his Queensland premises because past guests have wreaked havoc and vandalised his property.

Mr Dunne, who also runs a pub adjoining the hostel, warned that Irish people are getting an increasingly bad reputation Down Under and are facing a backlash from locals, due to the antics of unruly backpackers.

The father-of-three, who moved to Australia 25 years ago, said: “The Irish are the only ones to have caused deliberate damage.

“This year we have had eight Irish backpackers. It’s only the start of the season and already six have been thrown out. One checked out and one girl remains, who may I add, is no trouble. Two of the Irish lads were kicked out at 2am. We had them arrested and charged for damage done to our accommodation.”

In an interview with the Australian-based Irish Echo newspaper, he added: “It’s the last straw, we will not be taking any more.

“What can I say, we can’t tar everyone with the same brush, but yes, we have had enough of the Irish backpackers who stay at our accommodation.

“It’s sad really, because the other nationalities say the same about them at the other hostels. It reflects badly on us as we have to live up here.”