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Malachy McAllister Granted Additional Year in US

Monday, 16 March 2009

On Friday, March 13th, US Senator Robert Menendez personally called Malachy McAllister and informed him that he and his family have an additional year to stay free in the United States. Senator Menendez was able to successfully petition the Department of Homeland Security to suspend the McAllister's deportation for 12 months. This is great news for our AOH brother and his family.

The NJ State Board as well as National President Seamus Boyle presented Senator Menendez with awards to recognize his efforts in helping the McAllister family.

Press Release From Senator Menendez's Office:

Award

Ancient Order of Hibernians presents award to Senator Menendez for assisting the McAllister family

U.S. Senator Robert Menendez was given an award by the Ancient Order of Hibernians for sponsoring a bill that allowed the McAllister family to remain in the United States. S.2301, a private relief bill introduced in the 110th Congress, stayed the deportation of Malachy McAllister and his children, Nichola and Sean Ryan McAllister. Jere Cole, President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians of New Jersey, of which Malachy is a member, presented Senator Menendez with an engraved vase. Seamus Boyle, National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians presented Senator Menendez with an engraved plaque, and expressed their gratitude for protecting the McAllister family.

"I know the difficulty and hardship the McAllister family has endured and it was an extraordinary case that necessitated a private relief bill on their behalf," said Senator Menendez. "This nation was founded so that families like the McAllisters can live in peace without fear of retribution for political, cultural, or religious beliefs. This ideal was true then and it is true now. I thank everyone in this room for these recognitions, your civic involvement, and for sharing the rich Irish culture with all of New Jersey."

Malachy McAllister and his family fled Belfast after pro-British loyalists fired 26 rounds of ammunition into his home, nearly injuring his children. Malachy, his wife Bernadette, since
deceased, and his children, Gary, Jamie, Nichola, and Sean Ryan left to Ireland to escape threats. In 2007, Malachy, Nichola and Sean Ryan were facing deportation when Senator Menendez sponsored a private relief bill that was able to stay immediate deportation for the McAllister family. Senator Menendez is working with DHS officials to obtain a waiver for Malachy and his two children to allow them to stay in the United States permanently.

"I am certainly indebted to the support of everyone here but more so to the Senator for all that he's done for my family," said Malacky McAllister. "I'm here 13,14 years and his show of support was from day one. It's been a long and extremely difficult road and the whole
purpose is certainly to give my family a life that was denied to me and my wife."

Also in attendance was Sean Pender, National Chairman of Freedom for All Ireland: "What makes Senator Menendez's conviction to the cause even more impressive is the fact that as an elected official in his early constituencies, the percentage of Irish-Americans in his district or town was small but that didn't stop the Senator from getting involved,"said Penn. "He learned about the issue, he became interested and he believed in the cause, and he wanted to help stop the abuses of the rights of the people in the north of Ireland."

The awards presentation in Senator Menendez's Newark office was also attended by Bill Young AOH State Secretary, Jack Nosti AOH State Treasurer, AOH Member, and Belmar Councilman Matt
Doherty, and State Democratic Chairman and Assemblyman Joe Cryan,(LD-20, Union), also an AOH Member.

Nicola, who is studying to be a nurse and and Sean Ryan, who works and also studies accompanied their Dad and joined in for a group photo after the presentation.

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