Well it has almost been 2 years since I left those NZ shores for the rolling green hills of Ireland, and boy, so much has changed in that time. Jarred and Brooke had their second child (gratz BTW) one of my best and oldest friends Elton got Married to Kristen (Finally) and are now expecting their first child. My Brother had his first baby boy Declan who is now well on his way to be New Zealands youngest All Black. I am engaged and am due to be married to Von, and of course Mum has moved in with Terry and I could be happier for the both of ye!
However although so much has changed in the 2 years I have been in Ireland so much also has remained its same frustrating self. I am yet to find a job in which I can see a real future in or have any kinda hope for a carreer in. I am yet to do any kinda travelling around outside of Ireland (bar a brief trip to Prague - but we’re trying to forget that one) and I am still without a freakin visa!!!!!
For those that aren’t aware of my situation in Ireland I will give you a brief synopsis:
- I moved to Ireland in 2005 in late May, moving over to Ireland for my sons 3rd Birthday and to start a life where I could be involved in my sons upbringing.
- Before I left I got a 1 years working holiday visa and lined up a job to start as soon as I arrived. I was told by the Irish Consolate before I left that I would not have a problem gaining residency status to be able to remain in Ireland close to my son.
- Not long after arriving I went and seen the Imigration Guarda about my situation and what steps I should take to be able to get my visa permantly extended, I was advised that I should write a letter to the Ministry of Justice asking for a permanant extension of my working visa on the grounds that I have a son here. I also contacted a fathers rights group in Dublin that advised me of the same
- In February 2006 (4 months before my visa expired) I sent a letter off to the Ministry of Justice asking for an extension to my Visa. I was denied. I was told after calling them back for an explaination that they no longer do that under any circumstances and that my only way to remain in the country was through a work visa.
- I was not happy about this for several reasons, firstly I feel I have every right if not more than any other EU national entering into Ireland to remain in the country. Secondly if I was to start going down the path of obtaining work visa’s in order to get a permanant status i would need 7 years of consecutive work visas to be able to apply for perminant status @ a cost of 700 euros a year. To me thats alot of money that could go towards my sons Medical expenses and Schooling. I also would be restricted in a position and not have the freedom to change jobs or follow a career path.
- I took my concerns and case to several T.D’s and counsilors around Killarney explaining to them my situation and allthough all of them agreeed with me that I should be able to stay in Ireland and where horrified that I could not seem to be allowed to remain in Ireland none of them where able to do anything about it.
- As June quickly approuched and my Working Holiday Visa was about to expire I was still no closer to being alowed to remain in the country so in order to be certain I would be in the country on my son’s birthday I went to Prague for 2 weeks and re-entered Ireland on a Holiday Visa.
- This means I was not allowed to work and once again I set about trying to find a way to be allowed to remain in Ireland, but to no avail. I did however find work, through one of the councilors that was trying everything he could to help me, he managed to find work within the IT/graphic Design industry that was willing to aply for a visa for me.
- Well great news right!!! WRONG.. they applied, and also denied, it seems there is too many foreign nationals in Ireland also working and qualified to work within the same industry. My employer has continued to employ me though under the table which I am very thankfull for. Obviously for there protection I can not name who that is.
- So now for the last 8 months I have had a lawyer in Dublin working on my case, but still nothing, as of yet no word.
Apparently there is only one way in which I can obtain resendency and remain in Ireland and that is during the deportation process I can then apply for a Visa on humanatarian grounds in that removing me from Ireland is against EU family rights, and against the best interest of the child. But that can only be applied for during the deportation process so we have tried writing again to the Ministry to tell them that I am over staying, to let them no I am in the country illegally, but again nothing.
It seems I am having just as hard time getting kicked out of Ireland than what I was trying to remain. I even got pulled over by the Guards here a short while back and I even declared to them, I am here illegally, and that I am almost 12 months over staying. He didn’t even batter an eyelid!!! What a joke.
I find it ironic that a country that the catholic church has such a strong foot hold in and family values are (supposedly) considered in such high regards that the father of an Irish Citizen, who has always been employed while been in Ireland, who pays child support every week, who is actively involved in his son’s life, who is highly skilled can not remain in the country!!!!
So anyway now I am getting married, not AND I STRESS NOT!!!! becasue of visa issues, Von and I are just sick of waiting any longer, and still there is no clear answer as to whether or not I will be able to obtain a visa! We are going to have to wait to afte where married and apply through imigration again and hope for the best.
So anyway, thats where I am 2 years after arriving in Ireland, the whole visa thing has been going on now close on 16 months, and with absolutly sweet fuck all being accomplished. If you think you can help at all, or simply want to offer you support to my situation please leave a comment to this post. Thanks.
After this we intend on going the Muckross Abbey, in the Killarney National Park for a brief blessing where we can proclaim our vows in a more emotional and “real” setting. We will be looking into getting a horse and trap (Jarvey) from the registry office to the Abbey as you can not drive through the national park. Last weekend we meet with John Murphy, from the Tralee Christian Fellowship. John has the similar beliefs in regards to marrage as us. And I can tell ya, it was not easy trying to find someone willing to do a blessing outside of a church inviroment in Ireland. But I am sure glad we found John, he really is a top bloke and genuine, so with that our blessing is booked and underway.
but failing that we ask everyone to simply give us money so we can pay this wedding off.
