by Louise McCarthy

A FUNDRAISER is being held this Saturday to help a family fund the return of their youngest son, after he was unexpectedly detained by the authorities in the Philippines.

Oisin O’Leary, is the son of Thomas and Emily, 39 Westbury Heights, Enniscorthy, and was prevented from leaving the Philippines because his parents were unable to pay the €3,500 required to allow him to leave.

Mr O’Leary wants Oisin, who was born in Wexford, to be returned to his wife and family.

Oisin was left with a family friend at Manila airport, because his mother did not have the €3,500, demanded from her , by emigration. They would have been allowed leave with Oisin if they had forked out €3,500 or had the Irish passport for him.

Talking to The Echo, Mr O’Leary, said, “I am worried about Oisin, he is with a good family friend in Manila, but we want him back. It was lucky that Emily was able to contact a friend, otherwise she would have had to stay there.It was early in the morning when I got a call from Emily at the airport, there was  a lot of crying, I could not send the money, I had sent the money for the tickets, ” said Mr O’Leary.

A fundraiser, called the Digout Night, is being organised by James Turner, a nephew of Mr O’Leary, at Pierce Redmond’s pub, Raheeenduff, on Saturday March 28th, at 8p.m.