The backpacker 3: Diplomatic row averted as hotels offer free stay

THREE young backpackers who were on the verge of sparking an international incident between Ireland and the US look set to be welcomed back with open arms and free accommodation.

Far from receiving the customary céad míle fáilte, Colin Zwirko, 21, Gavin Sides, 19, and Ben Whitehurst, 21, were given short shrift by an immigration official in Dublin airport when they arrived last Friday at the start of their dream trip to spend a year backpacking in Europe.

The trio were told they could not enter Ireland as they lacked an address of where they planned to stay in Dublin and bank statements to prove they could afford to travel.

Despite this, the three high-school friends paid $1,850 (€1,318) of their own money to fly back to New York.

However, it appears the fabled luck of the Irish has smiled upon the three friends as D4 hotels have offered to pay for their flights as well as hotel rooms and food and drink for a week.

The story has received widespread coverage in their home state of Texas with the Dallas Morning News and the Houston Chronicle all covering the story. The blogosphere was also humming as people logged on to air their views.

Opinion was divided with some feeling the three got their just deserts for not having the required information while others thought the official was overly officious in her duties

“And these kids shouldn’t get any freebies. They didn’t have the documents required. If you are going to travel overseas, make sure you follow the rules,” said one comment.

Another interested party, however, expressed admiration for the hospitality of the Irish, who are determined to make sure the trio have a more pleasant stay second time around.

“The people of Ireland should be commended for extending the ‘Olive Branch’ like this! No one is saying this was wrong or right, it’s just a message saying, ‘Ireland welcomes its brothers from the US’.”

Speaking to the Irish Examiner yesterday from New Jersey, one of the backpackers, Mr Zwirko, said the attitude of the Irish immigration officials had not coloured his vision of Ireland and hoped he and his friends could fly to Ireland as soon as possible.

“I can tell you we were pretty bitter about the whole experience on the flight home but that one incident would never colour our view of Ireland,” he said.