AN IRISH family living in Australia with their three-year-old son have had their appeal to remain in the country rejected.
Couple Anthony and Christine Hyde first moved from Dublin to Australia back in 2009, settling in the small town of Seymour where they have remained ever since.
After finding work as a bus driver and teacher respectively, the couple celebrated the arrival of their first son together in 2015.
During this time, they had started the process of apply for permanent residency, confident their employed status would stand them in good stead.
Soon after, however, Darragh was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and the family’s doctor was required to send a letter to the Australian Department of Home Affairs informing them of his condition.
As a result, their application for permanent residency was refused by the Australian Department of Home Affairs after they assessed him as having a condition which makes him a burden on the Australian community.
The couple have been campaigning to have the decision overturned ever since, launching a petition via Change.org that has already amassed more than 67,000 signatures.
Darragh Hyde needs your help.The Hydes have now had their deportation appeal formally rejected but the tribunal reviewing their case has recommended it be referred to the Department of Immigration. They will then decide if Minister David Coleman should intervene.
“Today the visa was refused as expected,” Christine Hyde wrote on family’s petition website.
“However, the member has made a decision to recommend our case to be referred to the minister. This means the case goes back to the department of immigration and they will decide if the minister should look at our case to intervene.”
“We still have a battle to get the minister's attention.”
The ruling means the family technically has just 28 days to leave Australia.
However their stay could be temporarily extended should they apply for bridging visas that will allow them to stay in the country and fight their case.
You can show your support for Christine, Anthony and Darragh by adding your name to the petition here.
