Five international swimmers from Moldova have been prevented from attending a major competition in Galway, apparently because of fears that they would seek asylum here.
The Department of Justice refused visas for the group, who had entered for the Leisureland International Swim Meeting, which takes place at Salthill this weekend.
The annual competition is the biggest in the Irish swimming calendar. A spokeswoman for Swim Ireland said the competition was promoted abroad. Interested competitors applied to take part, and Swim Ireland then sought clearance for them, where necessary, from the Department of Justice.
"But the department wouldn't accept the Moldovans, because of fears that they would seek asylum here," the spokeswoman added.
The Department of Justice was unable to comment on the case last night.