21 August 2026
Letter from Staff of Maynooth University to Minister James Lawless on the Issue of Visas for Students from Palestine

Dear Minister Lawless,

We are writing to you as local constituents and as workers in the sector for which you have ministerial responsibility. Maynooth University, like many other institutions of higher education across the state, has had the honour of hosting students from Palestine who have fled the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the sustained campaign of violence and intimidation in the West Bank. These students have enriched the life of our university immeasurably.

It is with great consternation and frustration that we have heard from incoming students themselves and read in the press about the difficulties they are encountering in securing a visa to take up scholarships in Ireland. It is extremely disappointing to hear of this disjuncture between the state’s rhetoric of support for Palestinians and an immigration policy that seems to disregard both the undeniable threat posed by the extreme violence of the Israeli state to Palestinians and the significant contribution Palestinian students have made to our university communities. We object in the strongest terms to the impossible visa requirements being enforced by the Department of Justice on applicants who experienced scholasticide at home in Palestine where the ongoing conditions of life in conflict mean they have no access to regular educational and financial documentation.

We call on you as our TD and the Minister for Higher Education to intervene with your ministerial colleagues in the Department of Justice, both Minister O’Callaghan and Minister Brophy, on behalf of these students to ensure that they are given the visas they need. It would be a grave moral and historical error to deny these students the opportunity to travel to Ireland to study in safety. It also carries a high risk of reputational damage to our university sector, which is internationally recognised for its commitment to justice and human rights.

We trust that you, as our local TD and the Minister in our sector, share our concerns and look forward to hearing about the concrete steps you will take to ensure these students are not abandoned to their fate in the context of an ongoing genocide.

Signed:

Update 04 September 2026

Letter has been sent to the Minister and Local Press

Good afternoon,

Just a quick update to let you all now that this letter has been sent to James Lawless' constituency and ministerial addresses and to the local press. I will let you know if and when we get a response. I would encourage you to also contact him as individual constituents to hammer home the message of support for these Palestinian students.

Go raibh míle agaibh uilig,

Dónal

170
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155 verified
  1. Dónal Hassett, Professor of History, Maynooth University
  2. Raul Carstocea, Professor of History, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  3. Linda Connolly, Professor, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  4. Elizabeth Boyle, Lecturer in Early Irish, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  5. Conall Ó Fátharta, PhD, Maynooth University
  6. Karl O'Hanlon, Lecturer, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  7. Catherine Gander, Associate Professor of Literature, Maynooth University
  8. Fionntán de Brún, Ollamh, Ollscoil Mhá Nuad, Maigh Nuad
  9. John O Brennan, Professor, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  10. Rory Finegan, Lecturer, Centre for Military History & Strategic Studies, Maynooth
  11. Dr Ide Corley, Assistant Professor, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  12. Filipe Ribeiro de Meneses, Professor of History, Maynooth University
  13. Hilary Lennon, Tutor, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  14. Colin Coulter, Professor of Sociology, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  15. Donal Coffey, Assistant Professor, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  16. Mary Gilmartin, Professor, Maynooth University, Kildare
  17. Susan Giblin, PhD, Maynooth University
  18. Dr. Anindita Bhattacharya, Postdoctoral Researcher, Maynooth University, Dublin
  19. Niall Ó Cuileagáin, Postdoctoral Researcher, Maynooth University
  20. Fiadh Tubridy, Maynooth University
  21. Denis Condon, Lecturer, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  22. Rita Sakr, Associate Professor, Maynooth University
  23. Patrick Bresnihan, Associate Professor, Maynooth University, Dublin 7
  24. Stephanie Rains, Lecturer, Maynooth University
  25. Elizabeth Meade, Lecturer in Education, Maynooth University
  26. Thomas Campbell, Lecturer in International Development, Maynooth University
  27. Madeline Arkins, Equality Project Officer, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  28. Criostóir King, PhD candidate, Maynooth University
  29. Lorena Caminhas, Assistant Professor, Maynooth University
  30. Stephen O’Neill, Associate Professor English, Maynooth University, Dublin
  31. Sinead Ring, Associate Professor, Maynooth University
  32. Mercedes Carbayo-Abengozar, Lecturer, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  33. Rafaela G Scheiffer, Student, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  34. Niamh Keady-Tabbal, Postdoctoral Researcher, Maynooth University, Doorus
  35. Dilara Demir Bloom, Assistant Professor in Dept of Adult and Community Education, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  36. Dr Mark Walsh, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  37. Colin Graham, Professor, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  38. Angela Rickard, Assistand Professor of Education, Maynooth University
  39. Oona Frawley, Associate Professor, Maynooth University
  40. John Reynolds, School of Law & Criminology, Maynooth University
  41. Francesca Bratton, Lecturer in Creative Writing, Maynooth University
  42. Fintan K Sheerin, Professor of Nursing, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  43. Peter Coles, Professor of Theoretical Physics, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  44. Jon-Ivar Skullerud, Associate Professor, Department of Physics, Maynooth Univsrsity
  45. Dejan Djokić, Professor of Modern European History, Maynooth University
  46. Derek Barter, Lecturer, Maynooth University, Dublin
  47. Graham Kells, Assistant Professor of Physics, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  48. Diego Montagner, MU, Maynooth
  49. Gurutze Barluenga, International Partnerships Officer, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  50. Raissa Andrade, Postdoc Researcher, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  51. anonymous, Maynooth University
  52. Noah Otten, Reaserch Assistant, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  53. Ray O'Neill, Professor in Physics, Maynooth University
  54. Giulia Ferrari, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  55. Jesse Le Roux, PhD Student, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  56. Andrew Clarke, Tutor, Maynooth University
  57. Dimitrios Roupas, PhD student, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  58. Bernie Grummell, Professor, Maynooth University
  59. Carol Wrenn, Research Manager, Maynooth University
  60. Dr. Yağmur Hortoğlu Grant, Lecturer in Law, School of Law and Criminology, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  61. Maryanne Ryan, Technical Officer, Maynooth University, Co. Dublin
  62. Paul Watts, Assistant Professor, NUI Maynooth, Maynooth
  63. Rachel Horohan D’Arcy, PhD Student, Maynooth University
  64. Gavan Titley, Professor, Maynooth University
  65. Hilary Hooks, Maynooth University, Dunshaughlin
  66. Pawel Janas, PhD Researcher, Dublin
  67. Tracey Ní Mhaonaigh, Léachtóir sinsearach, Ollscoil Mhá Nuad, Maigh Nu
  68. Julie Rodgers, Associate Professor of French, Maynooth University
  69. Rob Kitchin, Professor of Geography, Maynooth University
  70. Patrick Flanagan, PhD Researcher, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  71. Daniel de Zubía Fernández, PhD, Maynooth University, Irede de Luna
  72. Javier Álvarez, PhD student, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza
  73. Aoife Titley, Lecturer, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  74. Brian Ngwenya, Postdoctoral Student, Maynooth University, Dublin
  75. Nikolaos Manaras, PhD Researcher, Maynooth University, Dublin
  76. Sabrina Marwede, PhD Student, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  77. Estelle Murphy, Assistant Prof. Musicology, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  78. Saoirse Ward, PhD student, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  79. Lewis Defrates, Postdoctoral Researcher, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  80. Gabriele Naselli, Postdoctoral Researcher, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  81. Pauline Cullen, Professor, Maynooth University
  82. Mary Leenane, Lecturer, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  83. Sarah Dunne, Researcher, Maynooth, Dublin
  84. Clare Geraghty, Lecturer, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  85. Loic Bourdeau, Lecturer, Maynooth University
  86. Rhiannon Bandiera, Assistant Professor in Criminology, Maynooth University
  87. Stephen Carroll, Postgraduate Research Development Officer, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  88. Thomas Delaney, PhD Student, Maynooth University, Dublin
  89. Louise Sarsfield-Collins, Assistant Lecturer, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  90. Fergus Ryan, Ollamh/Professor, Maynooth University, Maigh Nuad
  91. Eoin Flaherty, Lecturer in Sociology, Maynooth University
  92. Niall Sheil, PhD student, Maynooth University, Celbridge, Kildare.
  93. Amina Adanan, Assistant Professor, Maynooth University
  94. Cliodhna Murphy, Associate Professor, Maynooth University
  95. Éamon Ó Ciosáin, Lecturer (retired), Ollscoil Mhaigh Nuat
  96. Michael Potterton, Associate Professor, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  97. Adrian Scahill, Assistant Professor, Music Department, Maynooth University
  98. Michael Doherty, Professor of Law, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  99. Tobias Lock, Professor, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  100. Conor Crummey, Assistant Professor, Maynooth University, Dublin
  101. John Morrison, Associate prof, Maynooth University, Dublin
  102. Joe Garrihy, Associate Professor of Criminology, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  103. Maria Murphy, Associate Professor, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  104. Dr Andrew Browne, Lecturer, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  105. Joost Slingerland, Associate Professor of Physics, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  106. Anthony Malone, Associate Professor, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  107. Céline Healy, Lecturer, Maynooth University, Maynooth University Department of Education
  108. Cian Ó Concubhair, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, Maynooth University School Of Law & Criminology, Dublin
  109. Conrad Brunstrom, Associate Professor, MU, Maynooth
  110. Seán Kennedy, PhD Student, Maynooth University
  111. Chandana Mathur, Maynooth University Dept of Anthropology, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Maynooth University
  112. Dr Maria Cassells, Maynooth University
  113. Elva Casey, Director of School Placement, Maynooth University, Dublin
  114. Jennifer Manning, Assistant Professor, Maynooth University
  115. Jadelouise Byrne, Lecturer, Froebel Department, Maynooth University, Dublin
  116. Eddie Costello, Lecturer, Maynooth University
  117. June Pisaneschi, Lecturer, Froebel Dept., Maynooth University, Kildare
  118. Joni Clarke, Lecturer in mathematics education, Maynooth University
  119. Orla Joyce, Technical Officer, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  120. Grace Cardiff, Lecturer, Maynooth University
  121. Suzanne O'Keeffe, Assistant Professor, Maynooth University, Maynooth University
  122. Jenny Gannon, The DICE Project, Maynooth
  123. Leah O'Toole, Associate Professor, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  124. Laura Thornton, Lecturer Visual Art Education, Maynooth University
  125. Michael G Cronin, Lecturer in English, Maynooth University
  126. Katie Whelan, Lecturer, Maynooth University, Dublin
  127. Emma Pearson, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
  128. Niamh Cahill, Professor of Statistics, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  129. Gráinne O'Rourke, Maynooth University
  130. Detta Dickinson, Lecturer, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  131. Keefe Murphy, Assistant Professor, Maynooth University
  132. Janice Love, Maynooth University
  133. Aisling Mairead McGlinchey, Maynooth University
  134. Neasa Hogan, Administrative Officer, Maynooth University, Kildare
  135. Ann Marie Burke, Administrative Offiicer (Research), NUI Maynooth, Maynooth
  136. Jennifer Redmond, Associate Professor, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  137. Szymon Urbaś, assistant professor, Matnooth University, Maynooth
  138. Lorraine Crean, Lecturer, Lorraine Crean, Maynooth University
  139. Ana Moreno Ayala, Executive Assistant, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  140. Bernie Traynor, SEA, Maynooth University, GRA
  141. Esther Ryan, Senior Executive Assistant, Maynooth University
  142. Dylan Bailey, PhD Researcher, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  143. Stephanie Mcellland, Maynooth University
  144. Bríd Ní Ghráinne, School of Law and Criminology, Maynooth University
  145. Rebecca Owens, Assistant Professor, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  146. Barbara Woods, Maynooth University, Meath
  147. Gillian O'Meara, Senior Technical Officer, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  148. Gemma Lynch, STO, Maynooth University, Kilcock
  149. Ronan Bergin, Assistant Professor, Maynooth University, Leixlip
  150. John Devaney, Assistant Professor, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  151. Niamh Lynam-Lennon, Assistant Professor, Maynooth University, Dublin
  152. Jackie Nugent, Lecturer, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  153. Deirdre Daly, Senior Technical Officer, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  154. John Murray, Lecturer, Maynooth University, Maynooth
  155. Sam Blanckensee, Equality Officer, Maynooth University, Maynooth
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