Down's Girl: Eamonn Gilmore won't let me leave Ireland
A WOMAN with Down’s Syndrome has collected a 60,000-signature petition after being stopped from going to live in the US.
by Damien Moran
First published in The Sun
Pauline Conboy, 46, had her passport recalled in a row over guardianship.The Kiltimagh, Co Mayo,native held a passport for 15 years and jetted to the States regularly — but the mix-up with Eamon Gilmore’s Department of Foreign Affairs has left her stranded here.
Pauline’s mum Helen, who died last April, had been her primary carer for more than four decades.
Back in October 2010 Helen, who had advanced Parkinson’s, requested her Florida-based son Liam’s help in renewing Pauline’s passport when he was on a visit home.
But the Passport Office later sent a letter claiming Liam had “recklessly or knowingly provided false or misleading information”.
Tanaiste Gilmore’s private secretary then exchanged letters in which Liam was allegedly accused of falsely assuming to be Pauline’s legal guardian.Liam and another brother Desmond have since become her joint legal guardians — and Pauline has been offered a home in the States with Liam’s family.
A Foreign Affairs spokesman said: “The Passport Service is aware of the petition and the issues raised but cannot comment on any individual passport application.”
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