Cllr Sean Kenna denied entry to US

NOVEMBER 1998

LOUTH county council vice-chairman and Sinn Féin councillor Seán Kenna is denied entry to the United States as a result of a conviction for an arms offence in 1986.

He is due to form part of a delegation from Louth local authorities to attend the Louth Association in New York annual dinner.

However, there is a shock for Cllr Kenna, also a member of Dundalk urban council, when he finds out two days before departure that unlike other members of the travelling party, he requires a visa because of his conviction 12 years ago.

A hastily-arranged trip to the US embassy fails to resolve the matter.

Cllr Kenna speaks of his disappointment at missing what would have been his first trip abroad.

He explains that when he makes his application for a passport, he is told by a garda he wouldn’t need a visa.

He is also similarly advised by a county council official at that time, before the same person tells him – two days out from departure- that he does after all require a visa.

The dash to the embassy only confirms this and that it would take three weeks to process a visa application.

‘I’m very disappointed in the way the whole thing is handled,’ Cllr Kenna says.

However, he adds that he would rather it happened now, as it would have been an embarrassment to Louth county council if he had been stopped as he tried to go into the United States.

Cllr Pearse O’Hanrahan describes it is a ‘despicable decision’ (not to allow Cllr Kenna travel).