Londonderry man Mike Gallagher is seeking answers after his husband was refused entry to Ireland at Dublin Airport and sent back to the United States earlier this month.

Gallagher, a UK citizen originally from Dungannon, County Tyrone, and his Canadian spouse Terry MacInally moved to Northern Ireland from Canada five years ago, eventually buying a home in Derry. The couple have been together 17 years and married six.

MacInally, 63, has applied to remain in the UK through three visa routes. He has acknowledged overstaying his original holiday visa by six months but understood from Home Office guidance that he should remain in the country while applications were processed. His most recent application under the EU Settlement Scheme was refused, and an appeal is ongoing. Pending the appeal, he holds a Certificate of Application, which provides temporary permission to live, work and study in the UK. The couple believed, based on legal advice, that this entitlement allowed for international travel.

In April, MacInally left Derry for Canada to spend three months abroad in order to apply for a spouse visa. On his return journey in June, he travelled from Boston to Dublin, where Gallagher waited at passport control. Gallagher said he became concerned when he could not reach his husband. After approximately six hours, he was informed that MacInally had been placed on a flight back to Boston. Gallagher stated that his husband's phone and passport were taken during the detention.

The Republic of Ireland's Department of Justice said that under Common Travel arrangements, only Irish and British citizens can move freely. All other nationalities must satisfy immigration requirements, and when entry is refused, passengers are typically returned on the next available flight.

Gallagher has been working with local MLAs and MPs who have raised the case with the Home Office. He said he is determined to bring his husband back to their home in Derry, a place he described as the first he has truly felt at home.