A DONEGAL priest has won his battle to remain in the United States after the authorities there dropped proceedings to have him deported.
Fr Cathal Gallagher (58), from Gweedore, said yesterday that US immigration authorities, who had moved to deport him on July 1st, have told him he can stay.
He now plans to return home to Donegal for the wedding of his niece, TG4 reporter Áine Ní Ghallchoir.
The US authorities reopened his case on the eve of his scheduled deportation following a high-profile campaign by parishioners on the American prairies in South Dakota.
"That the authorities agreed to review my case was in itself a wonderful breakthrough," he said.
"But we thought it would take at least another six months before they would reach a decision.
"Instead, they have already completed their enquiries, realised the initial error that caused the problem was of their doing and not mine, and I got a phone call at the weekend saying my Green Card is in the post.
"It's absolutely unbelievable. I'm so grateful to the people who campaigned for me and I feel so humble I got such wonderful support."
Fr Gallagher has been living for almost 12 years in the US following his transfer there after 22 years in Japan.
But his status in America was never regularised and consequently he could not leave the country for fear he would not be readmitted while his application for a Green Card was being processed.
"I couldn't go home, not even for special family events. Now I'm looking forward to attending my niece's wedding next month," he said.
Ms Ní Ghallchoir, who reports from Belfast for TG4, weds Patrick Duffy in her native Gortahork, Co Donegal, on August 23rd when another uncle, local parish priest Fr Seán Gallagher, will officiate.
"It's brilliant that uncle Cathal will be there," she said.
"I'm the first of his nieces or nephews to get married and we were all hoping he could come," said Ms Ní Ghallchoir.
Many non-Catholics joined Fr Gallagher's parishioners in the diocese of Sioux Falls in South Dakota in the campaign to have his deportation order revoked.
At one stage the prospects of avoiding deportation seemed so hopeless that the bishop of Sioux Falls appointed a new priest to the parish.
"Diocesan lawyers advised him that nothing further could be done so, in expectation that I would be on a flight back to Ireland on July 1st, he appointed a new priest in my place," Fr Gallagher said.