'God willing, we will be in Ireland soon'

'It’s like their minds are already there': After a lengthy Covid-19 delay, Irish officials return to Lebanon to complete resettlement of Syrian families

Shahinaz and Mohamad with their children Ahmad, Moustafa and Adam in Beirut. Picture: Hannah McCarthy

After a decade of violence in Syria and economic collapse in Lebanon, Ireland promised Mohamad and Shahinaz the chance to build a secure and safe life for their young family.

In March 2020, the couple were due to be interviewed by Irish officials who had come to Lebanon to resettle 400 Syrian refugees to Ireland.