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Mum 'panics' as she's forced to leave daughter behind after holiday passport mix-up

A mum has spoken out about her horror after she was forced to leave her daughter behind on a family holiday after a passport mix-up - and it ended up ruining the trip

[Samantha says the stress ruined most of the holiday]

Samantha O'Connor and her daughter Ellen(Image: dublin live)

A mum has shared her heartbreak after she had to leave her daughter behind due to a passport blunder during a family holiday.

Samantha O'Connor was left gutted and frustrated by the lack of communication from the passport office when she realised her daughter, Ellen, might not be able to join their Greek getaway back in 2021.

Just days before they were due to jet off, Samantha discovered that Ellen's passport had expired. Overwhelmed with the paperwork for the trip, panic set in. They reached out to local TDs hoping to expedite the passport renewal process, praying it would be sorted just in time.

[Many travellers are seeing a backlog with the passport requests]

Samantha had to leave her daughter behind (stock)(Image: Getty Images)

She explained: "We were making sure we had everything sorted when we realised that the child's passport had expired.

"It was a renewal - it's not like she hasn't had a passport. She's had two passports previously. I couldn't put my holiday forward because I'd have to give five working days to do that."

Despite constant follow-ups with the passport office and local TDs, Samantha claims she was kept in the dark.

In the end, she had no choice but to depart without Ellen, who stayed back home with her aunt.

Ellen and her dad managed to join the rest of the family later, booking a second flight once the passport arrived.

However, Samantha says the family's holiday was marred by stress. She spent the first week with her other daughter, constantly checking emails, waiting by the phone, and being on standby in case anyone contacted them.

[In a wild panic, mum Samantha tried to sort out Ellen's passport]

In a wild panic, mum Samantha tried to sort out Ellen's passport (stock)(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The mother further explained that cancelling the holiday was not an option as they had already spent nearly 3,500.

Samantha shared: "We went all-inclusive. It's our first holiday in two years and it never happened for her."

She continued: "She was devastated at the beginning. I was devastated. I was inconsolable even going out on the flight because of the thoughts of leaving her behind."

A representative from the Department of Foreign Affairs clarified: " The turnaround time for applications such as child renewals and first-time applicants begins only when we receive all required supporting documentation."

They added: "When an application has been correctly completed and all documentation has been received the Passport Service is making every effort to issue passports as quickly as possible."

Dublin Bay South Sinn Fein TD Chris Andrews pointed out a backlog due to lockdown, stating: "The reality is that, during normal times there is a core staff of approximately 450 in the passport section which is increased during the peal period by a total of approximately 200 to a total of 650."

He concluded: "But at present staff numbers are significantly reduced with only about 500 personnel in total being left to deal with demands."

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