Martin Galvin National AOH FFAI Chairman on Malachy’s Deportation.
Posted by Jim on June 10, 2020
A chairde
Yesterday Malachy McAllister surrendered at noon after a quarter century legal battle and despite
A tape was made including remarks by AOH members Sean Pender, Dan Dennehy and myself who were there with him.
Below is Malachy’s emotional statement read in front of his children and grandchildren.
He is due to be flown back today, despite the pleas of Senators, Congressman, Cardinal Dolan, law enforcement and despite painful inuries including a broken collarbone, nerve damage and a fractured rib.
We will circulate the tape as soon as it is available and have further updates.
I know some of you have seen this but wanted to make sure everyone got it.
Martin
Mo Chairde, (My Friends)
I think we have all concluded that the only one that can stop my deportation now is President Trump and so while I am still on American soil (my home) I’m not giving up hope…But I want to take this opportunity if I have to say goodbye to thank everyone for your support over the years. We are going though an historical difficult time with so much suffering due to Covid-19 and recent disturbing events that unfortunately remind me of the persecution of Catholics and Nationals in Belfast in the 70’s and 80’s.during the civil rights protests and the Troubles.The pandemic has given us a new sense of how important health, family and life is and it’s been remarkable to witness the courage of our first responders whom have saved so many lives.
Since April 2016 my family and I have endured the constant stress and worry of deportation and really its a testament to all your hard work that I’m still here. But the journey we started after fleeing Belfast 32 years ago is reaching a conclusion.The focus has always been the protection of our children however, they are not children anymore and I’ve been blessed with several grandchildren whom I’d hoped to be with for the foreseeable future however, I can only hope and pray that God has another plan for me when I return to Ireland.
Mothers Day (May 10th) marked the 16th anniversary of Bernadette’s passing which would have been her 61st Birthday. She sacrificed so much for our children and for me and I hope someday her courage in the face of adversity in Ireland and here in the U.S. will be remembered and acknowledged. I will now be able to bring some dignity to her memory and put her in her final resting place.
I’ve been blessed with another wonderful person in my life, my wife Catherine and our eight year old son Cadán born in New York. In the last four years and especially the last several months they’ve endured so much stress and anxiety due to my situation and it has had profound affect on us all and I don’t want hist to repeat itself.Selling the home our son grew up, taking him away from his school, his relatives, friends and from the country we love has been heartbreaking.. We’ve been separated for 6 months and had hoped and prayed that President Trump’s order and promise last November to resolve my case would finally bring an end to the threat of deportation. However, as always it is the people you love the most that suffer (as was the case with Bernadette and my older children)So for the sake of everyone concerned, my family, my health and mental well being today has to be the end.! But it’s not the end of my story just the 2nd chapter and I will continue on the other side.
I will look back on my years in the U.S. with bride and hopefully I have represented the AOH, Ireland and Irish America well and been able to gain the respect from the community I love and admire. I will not forget the commitment and support you have all given me and no matter where life takes me I will continue my support for the GFA and for Peace and Justice in Ireland.I love you all and I won’t forget our time together.
Tiocfaidh ár lá agus Slán go Foill, Malachy