'The State isn't doing anything': Cork father urges action on family's visa application

Leonard Lyons from West Cork fears for his baby's health due to delays in processing his wife’s visa application

Leonard Lyons, his wife Rosel and son Leo. Mr Lyons argued that his son holds an Irish passport and is being prevented from coming home.

A Cork father is imploring the Government to expedite his wife’s visa application so that she and their Irish-passport-holding baby can come to Ireland and escape volcanic ashfall.

Leonard Lyons, from West Cork, is concerned his nine-month-old baby is at risk of illness due to delays in processing his Filipino wife Rosel’s visa application, which was sent to the Department of Justice 14 months ago.

An emergency filing was made in July to expedite the process following a volcanic explosion of Mount Kanlaon on Negros Island, which has led to ashfall reaching Cebu, where Rosel and Leo are currently living.

Mr Lyons told the Irish Examiner that the couple has followed every rule in applying for a long-stay D visa but are becoming increasingly frustrated at the length of the process, especially now that their child has started coughing due to ashfall.

He said he desperately wants his wife and son to join him in West Cork and is growing frustrated with delays.

The couple met online in late 2022 and started exchanging messages. Rosel was working in retail in Manila, the Philippine capital, when they first started dating. They got legally married in April 2025, holding a large wedding in Cebu.

Mr Lyons obtained the relevant certificate of freedom to marry before travelling.

Correspondence seen by the Irish Examiner shows that Rosel’s long-stay join-family visa application was received by immigration services in July 2025.

The correspondence was sent to Fianna Fáil TD and minister of state Michael Moynihan following representations made on the family’s behalf.

It was further confirmed that the application was originally received in the Manila visa office and was then sent to the Dublin Visa Office.

On its website, the immigration service confirmed that it is now assessing “join family visa” applications made in July 2024.

Mr Lyons told the Irish Examiner that he and his wife have followed all rules and are happy to continue following them.

However, he argued that his son holds an Irish passport and is being prevented from coming to Ireland to escape the ashfall because of the delays with Rosel’s visa.

Mr Lyons said he, Rosel, and their immigration lawyers are satisfied that she is eligible for the visa, and all relevant information has been provided to immigration services.

He argued that the delays will also prevent Rosel and Leo from integrating into the West Cork community, as it is going to be more difficult to get the boy into a preschool if the delays continue.

Mr Lyons said he is happy to follow the rules in place but is growing more anxious about the ashfall affecting his son’s health.

“We did what the State wanted us to do and will continue to do what the State wants us to do, but we are getting nowhere,” Mr Lyons said. “Give us the rules, fine. Am I looking for a sympathy vote to bend the rules? No.”

He urged authorities to make a decision on the visa.

“If it’s the case that it was a no, then we’d have to follow the rules by appealing. “

The Department of Justice said it does not comment on individual immigration cases.

It said most visa applications receive a decision within its published target times but that some can take longer, depending on the circumstances.

“Applicants who submit join family visa applications separately will generally receive a first instance decision within the 12-month business target.”

• Louise Burne, Political Correspondent