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Irish Americans targeted in certificates of Irish heritage scam

Company not approved by Irish gov’t seeks Obama endorsement

MOLLY MULDOON,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, February 1, 2011, 5:11 AM

Updated Tuesday, February 1, 2011, 6:07 AM

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Certificate of Irish Heritage website thought to be a scam

Unofficial certificates of Irish heritage are being launched in a bid to dupe the Irish diaspora, but the issuing group is not connected to the Irish government initiative to create the new certificate of heritage.

An organization called “Certificate of Irish Heritage” announced last week that President Barack Obama is to become one of the first Irish Americans to receive a certificate “in recognition of his Irish ancestry” on St. Patrick’s Day.

A senior source in the Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the organization claiming to be the distributor of official “Certificates of Irish Heritage” has no link to the Irish government’s initiative.

“This has nothing to do with the official government scheme that we are developing. It does not have our support,” the source told IrishCentral.com.

Last June the Department of Foreign Affairs unveiled plans to provide “Certificates of Irish Heritage” to 70 million people worldwide who are of Irish descent, but do not qualify for full citizenship. Benefits may include cheaper travel costs and discounts on many Irish goods.

A company called FEXCO in Killorglin, Co. Kerry has been entrusted by the government with the creation of the genuine Irish certificates.

In a press release aimed at Irish Americans Michael Pearse, the CEO of the Certificates of Irish Heritage organization said, “President Obama should be the first person to receive this certificate on behalf of the people of America in recognition of the strong cultural, historic and economic relationships between the two countries."

The company’s website, (certificateofirishheritage.com) is still under construction, and displays an Irish harp, identical to the logo of the Department of Foreign Affairs. It encourages applicants to register their interest for a certificate. It does not state that it is linked to the Irish government, but gives the impression that it is the genuine source for certificates.

Irish Central has made several attempts to contact Pearse by email and phone over the last few days, but has received no response.

Nster.com

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Eire2009 | Feb 02, 2011, 04:17 PM EST

You can use either passport entering the EU after departing the US with your US passport. My best friend has traveled to and through Ireland, Wales, or England almost every summer. Sometimes he uses his British passport and other times opts for his US one. He has NEVER had any passport problems whatsoever traveling to and from the British Isles. And depending upon the circumstances the EU queue at the airport can usually be much shorter, so being equiped with an Eire/EU pas can defo have its advantages.

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GeorgeDillon | Feb 02, 2011, 02:50 AM EST

theresadaly: "To travel into Ireland,you must use the Irish(European) one". Where did you hear that? I hold an Irish passport, but when I go to Ireland I often use my US passport. And if I go to an EU country other than Ireland I invariably use my US passport. No one has ever objected, in Ireland or elsewhere. I'd be really interested to know where you got your information. Thanks.

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theresadaly1 | Feb 01, 2011, 08:50 PM EST

To clear up the dual citizenship posts; walkingmiracle, you can get dual citizenship through your grandmother,you will then have 2 passports. Yerffac, you have to travel IN to America with your American passport, but are allowed to hold the Irish(European) one as you are a dual citizen. To travel into Ireland,you must use the Irish(European) one. I am a dual citizen and that is the protocol.

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haikued2 | Feb 01, 2011, 05:32 PM EST

Malarkey.

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dragonladyleanne | Feb 01, 2011, 04:55 PM EST

Sandy, consider your ability to work in Ireland (virtually no jobs) vs his ability to find work in US. The US now requires immigrants to stay in or return to their home country while the VISA is processed, and they can't travel to US on passport during that time either. It took nearly a year for them to process my husband's VISA/green card and cost us about $1500 for fees and medical exam. Using a lawyer costs twice that, though it may speed things. Good luck! You may yet want to live in Ireland instead.

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MickRegan | Feb 01, 2011, 04:01 PM EST

oh, and these guys: http://www.mortgagebrokers.ie/ looks like an office block - will have to get forensic!

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MickRegan | Feb 01, 2011, 03:59 PM EST

Whois shows domain owned by an R Lynch. Google search on 'R Lynch certificate of irish heritage' shows: R Lynch 33 Pearse Street, Dublin, Ireland. who lives at 33 Pearse St - these guys: http://www.connected.ie/ CSI!! :-)

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GeorgeDillon | Feb 01, 2011, 03:05 PM EST

antoman: I agree with the people who think you're funny. In fact I THINK YOU'RE A CLOWN.

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GeorgeDillon | Feb 01, 2011, 03:04 PM EST

What's the problem? They're both scams, this one and the Irish government one. One scam is as good as another.

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antoman | Feb 01, 2011, 02:36 PM EST

@Simplesandy..If your b/f loves you then he should be willing to take a chance and join you in America.I would.

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simplesandy | Feb 01, 2011, 02:03 PM EST

I am an American living on an off here in Ireland for last 5 years..cost of living is draining me ..I would love to get my Irish b/f into America but it is extreamly hard ..he would pay taxes and give up everything just to go to America..I find it hard to get into Ireland also..if anyone out there can give me some ideas I would really apreciate it ...God Bless my email is sandramarieso@hotmail.com

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Eire2009 | Feb 01, 2011, 11:42 AM EST

According to the US Department of State website dual citizenship is recognized but not encouraged: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1753.html

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beachline | Feb 01, 2011, 11:09 AM EST

To: antoman; thanks for the humor. it made my day. TO: yearflac; dual citizenship is recognized in the USA, at least dual Irish-American citizenship is recognized. I do not kinow about any other nationality.

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Searlit | Feb 01, 2011, 10:43 AM EST

culchiewoman, that is sad that 42,000 Irish people can't have access to their original birth documents. I hope the government will see fit to change that. @ antoman, very funny! I needed a laugh., with another monster snowstorm bearing down on us here.

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Yerffac | Feb 01, 2011, 10:19 AM EST

Yes but the U.S. acknowledges only its passport. You can't hold dual citizenship in the US. It is not recognized.

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