I can’t greet my grandchildren

MY son’s children, Saoirse and Trinity Ruddock, aged three and one, despite holding Irish passports, are being prevented from visiting their relatives in Ireland, and I’ve never been able to welcome them into my home.

The reason is that their Thai mother has been refused a tourist visa to Ireland this year, even though she was granted one in 2000, and it goes without saying that it would be quite impossible for these young children to visit Ireland without her.

In order to reapply for a visa, it is necessary to establish why the previous application was refused. However, this is an impossibility. I have written letters and have tried endless times to get through to the visa helpline.