2008 Press Releases

August 17, 2008
Gary McAllister has become a ''US Citizen''
Nineteen years and eight months after leaving Belfast my oldest son Gary has become a citizen of the United States of America. It was a very proud moment for us all. There were a few tears of joy and sadness but it was a moment I will treasure for ever. We certainly wish that this could have been the outcome for the whole family but, at least it is a step in the right direction and one that I hope will reenergize our campaign.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our supporters, The McAllister Justice Campaign Committee, my AOH brothers, United Irish Countries, my lawyers, Eamonn Doran, Sean Downes, Dianne George, Claudia Slovinsky, our friends in Washington, Congressmen Steve Rothman, Chris Smith, Eliot Engel, Peter King and there amazing staff especially Shelly Stoneman and Mary Noonon for there dedication and persistence.

I would also like to thank New York Senator Charles Schumer and his State Director Martin Brennan for there eleventh hour intercession and strong support.

Lastly, ''a big thank you'' to my senator in New Jersey, Senator Robert Menendez for introducing the private bill that kept me around to witness this great occasion and for doing what he said was, ''the right thing to do''. But, it is not done yet, ''one down three to go'' and maybe we can get Jamie back someday!

The good news is that visas are immediately available for mothers and fathers of US citizens. His brother Sean Ryan and sister Nicola are also eligible for a visa but this could take several years to process.In my case I would again be denied entry on the grounds of inadmissibility but, this is undeniably a change of circumstance in my case and one that could possibly keep us in the US a little longer.

For now we are all so happy to be here in the US and to be part of the celebration along side my US citizen son Gary and his wife Megan.

Slan go foill
Malachy McAllister