Great news.
A Shamrock Rovers fan who had been detained by Bulgarian border police while returning from a Champions League qualifier is returning home.
Daniel Fulham was making the return journey to Bucharest with a number of other fans who had travelled to Razgrad to witness The Hoops’ 3-0 defeat.
“Daniel Fulham is a long-standing club member and volunteer who has made many international journeys in his working and social life with the same passport as was presented to the border police,” said Shamrock Rovers in a post on their website on Thursday (21 July).
“It is understood that the authorities questioned the validity of the photograph in matching Daniel’s identity. The Department of Foreign Affairs is liaising on the matter in which there is no doubt about the validity of the passport, and we hope to see the matter closed as quickly as possible for Daniel to return home.”
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney confirmed on Twitter that the Department of Foreign Affairs were “working on this”.
The detainment was met with great criticism, including from Sinn Féin TD John Brady.
“The detention of Shamrock Rovers supporter Daniel Fulham by the Bulgarian authorities is disgraceful and without any justification,” Brady said.
“I have been working on it and am in contact with the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the issue. Dan must be immediately released.”
Fulham posted on social media on Thursday to confirm that he will be returning home later tonight.
“Really appreciate all the concerns and incredible work from everyone involved to help me get home,” Fulham tweeted.
“I should be on a flight home to Dublin tonight.”
Shamrock Rovers also shared that the club had arranged and paid for Fulham’s flight home.
“We look forward to seeing Dan at Saturday’s game,” the club wrote.
Great news!
Daniel has been released and is now in the process of making his way home. Thanks to a number of politicians and @dfatirl in getting this resolved quickly. The club has arranged and paid for the flight home and we look forward to seeing Dan at Saturday's game ☘️ https://t.co/c31ynxTW4F— Shamrock Rovers FC (@ShamrockRovers) July 21, 2022
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