Thousands raised for ICE detainee Séamus Culleton drawn down

Just over €24,000 had been raised for the Co. Kilkenny man, who remains in ICE custody in El Paso, Texas.

The money had been intended to pay for his legal fees. Top US attorney Marc Randazza had previously said the money could be seized and go towards his twin 19-year-old daughters, who say he "abandoned" them when they were just 18 months old.

While GoFundMe did not officially comment on the fundraiser, Extra.ie has since confirmed the cash has left the platform and was headed to Tiffany Smith, the current wife of Mr Culleton, who lives in Boston.

Extra.ie attempted to contact Ms Smith and the organiser of the fundraiser, but we had received no response by the time of going to press.

Mr Culleton’s fundraiser had attracted thousands of dollars’ worth of donations. However, that money dried up after we revealed earlier this month that not only did he "abandon" his twin daughters, he was also facing drug charges in Ireland before he left for the US.

 Séamus Culleton and his wife Tiffany.

Extra.ie confirmed that Mr Culleton, 38, was charged in 2008 with several offences. These included possession of drugs with intent for sale or supply, possession of drugs for personal consumption and obstructing a guard in the course of their duty.

He failed to appear at New Ross District Court in 2009 for his hearing, and a bench warrant was issued. However, it was never executed as he had left the country.

He had appeared in the same court in April 2008 for being "extremely drunk" in public, and gardaí detained him for his own safety, court reports state.

It has also been confirmed that the charges against Mr Culleton are still "active" and that it will be at the discretion of gardaí if he is to appear in court if and when he returns to Ireland.

Mr Culleton, originally from Glenmore in Co. Kilkenny, told of the "nasty" conditions at the ICE centre in El Paso, Texas, which he likened to a "modern- day concentration camp".

 Séamus Culleton.

He was detained by ICE last September for overstaying his 90-day visa. He arrived in the US in 2009.

BOS Legal, the firm representing Mr Culleton, was asked for an update, and a spokeswoman said: "If we had any update it would be on our website."

On February 16 the firm representing Mr Culleton revealed that a court order had been secured, putting a "stay" on his deportation for at least ten working days. He had been due for deportation last week.

Earlier, on February 9, the law firm published the following on its website: "Today marks five months of detention under harsh conditions that Culleton has publicly described in detail. He faces the risk of removal at any time. His legal representatives are requesting his immediate release so he may complete his immigration process and reunite with his wife and community…

"Culleton poses no danger to the public and does not fall within any enforcement priority category. He has strong ties to the United States, a pending marriage-based immigration case, and a long history of peaceful residence and community contribution."

Despite the statement from his lawyers, Extra.ie revealed how police responded to two "domestic incidents" involving Mr Culleton and his ex-wife over the course of a four-year marriage.

The marriage between Mr Culleton and his ex-wife was officially dissolved in January 2024. Mr Culleton then married Ms Smith in April 2025.

More files seen by this newspaper showed that there were two Boston police record numbers relating to Mr Culleton. A police spokesman said: "Both incidents are domestic-related. No further information is available."

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.