Niamh McCourt, Senior Parliamentary Researcher, Dr Stephen Farry MP

Niamh has played an integral role in helping 27 vulnerable Afghans, who were either under the threat of death or forced marriages following the fall of Kabul, reach safety in the UK and Ireland and build new lives.

Recently, Niamh worked tirelessly to coordinate the complex and dangerous escape of Bilal Nasiri’s family, an interpreter of Naval Officer Tim McCullagh, a constituent of North Down. Bilal’s family were under direct threat from the Taliban due to his job, however Niamh worked closely with the Irish Government to acquire necessary documentation and then with people on the ground in Afghanistan to organise all the logistics for their safe passage to Ireland.

On behalf of Stephen’s office, Niamh continues to liaise with vulnerable Afghans and help signpost them to assistance. She also keeps in contact with Bilal’s family to provide support and ensure they are integrating comfortably into the community.