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Home Page > Blogs > News blogs > Periscope > Diplomats gone wild at U.S. Embassy in Dublin say concerned Irish -- Horror stories about how Irish are treated after famed author Tim Pat Coogan refused

Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Diplomats gone wild at U.S. Embassy in Dublin say concerned Irish -- Horror stories about how Irish are treated after famed author Tim Pat Coogan refused

Posted on Friday, November 30, 2012 at 07:18 AM

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Smyrnian | Dec 02, 2012, 11:33 AM EST

Where are the facts in this "news" article? Typical IC opinionist rant with no facts anywhere to be seen.

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eiriamach | Dec 02, 2012, 07:13 AM EST

There he goes again-- Mairint, that is-- trying to turn IC into a right wing-nut in-group, sending out the message that haters gather here! The fiction Mairint perpetrates, from the right-wing fanatic blogs, about Muslims gang-raping and then assassinating Ambassador Chris Stevens as retaliation for Sec. of State Clinton sending a gay man to represent the US in a Muslim country is hate speech. Stevens died of smoke inhalation, and autopsy revealed no evidence of rape. Whether he was gay or not no one knows; we can infer nothing of his sexual orientation from his being unmarried. And Hilary Clinton did not assign him to his post to stir up anti-gay, anti-US Muslims. Ultra-orthodox zealot Mairint writes on the "New poll shows most Irish Catholics ignore church teachings... article, "As our Holy Father said, "it will be a smaller Church but a more perfect one". Sure, small and perfect in its hatred, and none but homophobes, misogynists, and other bigots will walk through its doors again once they know that the tiny group inside are fanatics like Mairint.

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curtisjohnson | Dec 01, 2012, 07:20 PM EST

"Dublin is a most sought after assignment for American diplomats, the best and brightest. The Americans performing the Consular interviews are bound by U.S. law and cannot go against the law in order to help an Irishman, or anyone else. If a person has ever overstayed their visit to the USA, or has family or personal criminal activities, then the visa will be denied - - - the denial cannot be controlled by the American at the window. Englishmen, President Obama or the Tea Party don't have anything to do with visa decisions." Is this post a joke? The State Department frequently makes exceptions and ad hoc decisions at a whim. Obviously, policy and decisions are not set at the local embassy but by the nasty and supremacist wasp culture at the State Department - this Wilde viper is an example of its ethos.

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saraindc | Dec 01, 2012, 11:22 AM EST

I'm starting this by saying im not defending everyone at the US embassy in Dublin but let's not cast stones at all. I went through the embassy to get my GreenCard and I found everyone there very polite and respectful. They complimented me on having ALL my paperwork in order, following the procedures, having back up materials that they might need and being honest and truthful when asked questions. I was however slightly taken aback by the number of Irish people around me who were blatantly lying and making up stories to get their visas extended. They didnt do their homework, clearly were lying about some of the information (You could hear them splutter false answers about how long they actually stayed in the USA during the life of their visa). It was obvious to those of us sitting there that there are quite a lot of people abusing the process, faking their details, lying about how long they were there with a view to keeping a greencard when it was obvious they are living in Ireland. This doesnt excuse how some people were badly treated but it should highlight that the agents at the embassy are dealing with a lot of bull@@@@ too and a lot of applicants are blatantly lying about their applications. That has to be frustrating for embassy staff to have to get so intense with some yet others breeze through because they follow the rules and do things honestly!

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seamus60 | Dec 01, 2012, 08:34 AM EST

Puffin. I can find no referance to a Hispanic connection. Perhaps you could enlighten us.

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BeReasonable | Dec 01, 2012, 01:18 AM EST

Dublin is a most sought after assignment for American diplomats, the best and brightest. The Americans performing the Consular interviews are bound by U.S. law and cannot go against the law in order to help an Irishman, or anyone else. If a person has ever overstayed their visit to the USA, or has family or personal criminal activities, then the visa will be denied - - - the denial cannot be controlled by the American at the window. Englishmen, President Obama or the Tea Party don't have anything to do with visa decisions.

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lcobryan | Nov 30, 2012, 08:41 PM EST

To irishgjk You are a moron. You forget the great sway the english still have in the USofA. The english are going after the histories collected by Boston College re the Troubles in order to prosecute. They signed the Easter Accords and in the Fall of 2010 FINALLY acknowledged that the english army fired on unarmed protesters. Mr. Coogan's book, which I had pre-ordered and am now reading , "The Famine Plot" is an expose on their despicable nature. They wander around the globe (& create tv series) trying to deny their horrific past of enslavement, bigotry and slaughter across the globe. In NYC we do the most$$ in reported global business but the true wielders of global financial power still sit in London. That is the reason for initial visa denial. Ivy League Under and Grad/Wall Streeter/Irish American/LIBERAL

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irishpjk | Nov 30, 2012, 07:24 PM EST

wtf. Most liberals including Mr. Obama should thank God (if they believe in him) for giving them Regan and Bush to blame for everything bad that happens.

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seamus60 | Nov 30, 2012, 07:09 PM EST

It appears TP Coogan does require a visa. Otherwise there would be no need for this article or his repeated application. Regardless of the visa the security check is more to worry about. The same ignorance people have expressed here with regards to their treatment at the American embassy should be taken as a starter course for what they are about to recieve on arrival in the the USA. Security can not be used as an excuse for the lack of manners. Where else would you go to spend thousands and be treated in such a manner.

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ePHraimAg | Nov 30, 2012, 06:48 PM EST

What KatieMurphy has stated is actually correct. The South is religious but the most ignorant christians I have ever met. Xtians is probably a good word for the Huckabees Of Arkansas, especially they of Southern Baptist giving a very bad Name to Christendom. Never trust a Southern Baptist.. they are better off in Benghazi being stripped, for they actually practice that in Arkansas. What goes around comes around!The Clintons are no better, for that is their Home State. Piss off Hilary.. you are the last to speak of Human Rights in Ireland upon Your planned visit.

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ePHraimAg | Nov 30, 2012, 06:32 PM EST

I remember talking to a Young Man, an American Commercial Lawyer. He told Me that The American Government likes to employ arrogant and ignorant People only because the american Government prefers them so. Over the Years I have found the Words of that Young Man very True. Evenso, I have also found some of the more educated very Polite, but that is not the case in the many. want to meet an arrogant, egotist, bitch? Her comes Hilary Roden Blythe alias Clinton over to Ireland on 7th December. Send her to Benghazi... We don't want her in Ireland, especially the North.... no mind the other liing half who is a Kilo short of Cocaine and a Columbian Prostitute.

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pndirishandprou | Nov 30, 2012, 05:37 PM EST

@Watchman: I believe the applicability of the visa waiver scheme depends on the exact nature of the visit. Business people from VWP countries visiting the US for a sales pitch do not need a visa. However, artists who perform in the US definitely do need a visa for that purpose, also, for example, college professors who are invited to give a speech and get paid for it. It is probably fair to assume that Tim Pat Coogan was advised by his lawyer as to whether or not he needed a visa for US book tour.

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casper1377 | Nov 30, 2012, 05:31 PM EST

I want to know what I can do to help as a U.S. citizen. I had planned on seeing Mr. Coogan on his tour so I've been following all of this with a lot of interest and was shocked to say the least in hearing about his ordeal. It makes no sense for the Obama administration or the State Department to have any conflict with Eire. This leads me to hope that it's only some rogue elements directing the vitriol and not standing policy. In any regard I want this cleared up and smoothed over. The U.S. and Ireland have been and should be on friendly terms. I realize the U.S. has a long-standing interest in the U.K. and wishes to be tight with Downing St. However, there's no excuse for American-Irish relations to suffer and any tips of the cap to Britain should not come at Irish expense.

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anglo-norman | Nov 30, 2012, 05:30 PM EST

Eamon- Grow up please. This is a site for intelligent adults, ACT accordingly son!!

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Watchman | Nov 30, 2012, 05:08 PM EST

@pndirishandprou: That's not true. The visa waiver scheme permits visitors to conduct business. I quote from the relevant website: "The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of 37 participating countries [including Ireland] to travel to the United States for tourism or business (visitor [B] visa purposes only) for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa." Visitors who arrive under program are subject to the same conditions as those on a B1/B2 business visa, meaning that, for up to 90 days, they can conduct negotiations or solicit sales – which obviously includes a book tour.

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