Nine Bangladeshis on bogus visas disappear

GARDAÍ are looking for nine Bangladeshi nationals who disappeared after obtaining Irish visas under false pretences.

Officials believe the group is now in Britain.

Their disappearance is bound to be an embarrassment for Junior Marine Minister Pat 'the Cope' Gallagher, who facilitated their visit after being contacted by Donegal fish merchant Michael Callaghan.

The Bangladeshi who made the initial contact claimed he wanted to buy Mr Callaghan's €800,000 trawler. He and eight "crew" arrived in Dublin on a flight from Copenhagen two weeks ago.

After seeing the trawler advertised online, the Bangladeshi front man contacted Mr Callaghan, who then asked Mr Gallagher to help the man obtain a temporary visa from the Irish consulate in Delhi.

After viewing the boat moored at Killybegs harbour, the bogus businessman claimed he needed travel papers for an eight-man crew to sail the boat back to Bangladesh.

Officials issued nine short-term visas after receiving a letter of support from Mr Gallagher.

A statement issued by the Department of the Marine, on behalf of Mr Gallagher, said the minister had made the representations "in good faith and were merely intended to facilitate a request by a constituent".

A Department of Justice spokesperson said that in considering visa applications the department was conscious of the need "to strike a balance" between immigration concerns and family and business concerns.

"Our business is to grant visas, except in cases where there are legitimate concerns about whether the applicant meets the requirements and obligations," the spokesperson added.

After arriving in Ireland, three athletes and a coach from Niger disappeared during the 2003 Special Olympics.

Six Nigerian golfers disappeared in 2002 after coming here to play in regional qualifiers for the British Open.

Three of the men used bogus identities in their applications.

Last year, there were 143,000 visa applications for Ireland of which 120,000 were granted.