Unfair treatment of Canadian girl deserves some examination

About 10 years ago a son of mine, having qualified as a secondary school teacher, decided to go to Lima in Peru, on a three-year contract, teaching English at a school there.

Because of his deep interest in the Inca civilisation, it was the perfect opportunity.

Whilst there, he met a lovely Canadian girl who was also teaching there. Love blossomed, and as their three years was coming to an end they decided to make Ireland their home.

They pooled their finances and bought a house here in Waterford.

My son, who is an Irish citizen, had no visa problems and found a job right away teaching. However, his girlfriend was given a six month visitor’s visa, and was refused a work permit.

To conclude this sad and bad treatment of my now daughter-in-law, she had to sign-on every month at the local Garda station for four years and was warned not to seek work and if found working, she would be deported.

This all came to a head two years ago when she was notified that her visa had run out and she was given five days to leave Ireland or be deported.

She returned to Canada before the deadline. My son went to Canada a few months later and they got married there.

She then returned to Ireland legally with him.

There are a lot of things about this which annoy me. More recently, thousands of our Irish are emigrating to Canada, especially to Calgary where she is from. Yet one Canadian lady was not allowed to work or stay here, a person who had invested in this country by buying a home, a person who wanted to contribute and was not looking for benefits.

And while this saga was unfolding, I saw literally thousands of so-called asylum seekers being housed, fed, clothed and paid by the system.

I think this unfair treatment to this fine Canadian citizen needs examination.

Mike Kelleher

Newtown

Tramore

Co Waterford