Consular office available for soccer fans

A TEMPORARY consular office has been set up in Stuttgart to cater for the 10,000 fans travelling for next month’s Republic of Ireland v Germany European Championships qualifier game.

Foreign Affairs Department officials will help replace lost or stolen travel documents as well assisting in cases where Irish citizens are arrested by police or are victims of accidents or injuries. Announcing the facilities, Minister Dermot Ahern yesterday said his department was committed to the well-being of Irish people abroad, especially during national sporting occasions.

“It is of utmost importance to me that Irish fans travelling to the match on September 2 have access to emergency consular services if required,” he remarked.

The consular office will open on Thursday, August 31, until Monday, September 4, including extended weekend opening hours.

Fans are directed to the department’s www.dfa.ie website for details of the facilities.

“We have a long-standing and well-deserved reputation as begin the best behaved football supporters in the world, especially in Stuttgart, which was the scene of Ireland’s great international successes in the Euro 88 tournament.

“As always, I am sure our fans will do Ireland proud, just like the Boys in Green on the pitch,” Mr Ahern added.