Advice for Irish fans intending to travel to the Cricket World Cup in Guyana

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern T.D., today offered travel advice for Irish fans intending to travel to the ICC Cricket World Cup in Guyana. While sharing in Irish fans’ delight at the Irish team’s qualification for the next stage of the tournament, Minister Ahern nevertheless reminded fans travelling to remain vigilant.

The Minister said:

“I urge Irish citizens intending to travel to Guyana to obtain comprehensive travel insurance, including medical insurance, before travelling abroad. Medical facilities in Guyana are limited and citizens should ensure that their insurance policy covers the costs of medical evacuation as well as treatment in Guyana.

“The climate in Guyana can be extremely hot and humid and can be difficult to deal with. I would advise elderly people, or people with medical problems, to think carefully before travelling and ensure they have adequate insurance.”

Minister Ahern also called on those travelling to give special attention to personal safety issues:

“Crime levels in Guyana are high. I would advise Irish citizens travelling to Guyana to exercise extreme caution. Georgetown, the capital city where the Irish team is scheduled to play on 30 March, 3 April and 9 April, is particularly badly affected by violent crime.”

Wishing the best of luck to the Irish team and fans travelling to the matches in Georgetown, Minister Ahern added a word of caution about attendance at the games:

 “Tickets purchased from ticket touts or internet ticket auctions may be rejected as invalid and could be stolen or forged, so I would urge people to obtain tickets from reliable sources to avoid disappointment. Also, I would ask people to make themselves aware of security regulations that will be enforced to avoid any delays in entering the grounds.”

Minister Ahern said that the Honorary Consul of Ireland in Guyana, as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs, would be available to provide assistance in cases of emergency affecting Irish citizens in Guyana.

Note to editors:

Travel advice for Guyana was posted on the Department of Foreign Affairs website on Friday 23 March 2007.  The travel advice also contains the following telephone contact details for the Honorary Consul of Ireland in Guyana and the Department of Foreign Affairs, both of which can be contacted in cases of emergency:

Dr. Deen Sharma
Honorary Consul of Ireland in Guyana
+592 2269 339

Department of Foreign Affairs
+353 1 4780822

ENDS +++

23 March 2007
Press Office