17 Irish J1ers evicted in Delaware

The students, in the U.S. on J1 summer work visas, were apparently targeted for eviction after they held a party in the seven-bedroom rental last month during which local residents called police.
The students, mostly from Cork, complained in an interview given to RTE Irish radio that they only got a couple of hours’ notice of eviction. They are also attempting to reclaim $18,000 in advance rental payments.
Some have secured alternative accommodation while others are reportedly planning an early return to Ireland.

LOUTH MAN DROWNS
A 21-year-old Dundalk, Co. Louth, man died in Pittsburgh over the weekend.
The man, who had been in the U.S. working under the Walsh Visa program, got into difficulties and drowned while swimming in a river.
He had not been identified as the Echo went to press. It is understood that the man was to return to Ireland this summer at the end of his Walsh Visa employment period.

EMERALD SAYS THANKS
The Emerald Isle Immigration Center in Queens has expressed its thanks to the New York City Council for helping it to secure city funding for the coming year.
“The center is very grateful to council member Eric Gioia and Speaker Gifford Miller for all their budget campaigning efforts,” Siobhan Dennehy, EIIC’s executive director, said at a recent press conference.
“Everyone knows how volatile the New York City budget process was this year and Gioia and Miller’s efforts saved the day. I can’t imagine how we could have survived to provide the level and scope of service without the funding that was restored through the City Council’s efforts.”
Emerald Isle’s annual budget is jointly funded by New York City and the Irish government.

J.J. IN L.I.
After an emotional stopover in New York, the Jeanie Johnston is this week docked in Port Jefferson, L.I. The Famine-era replica sailing ship will remain in Port Jefferson until Thursday, July 17, before leaving for Rhode Island. The ship will be in Providence July 18-21 and after that: Boston, July 24 through Aug. 4; Portsmouth, N.H., Aug. 7-11; St. Andrews, N.B., Aug. 15-19; Saint John, N.B., Aug. 20-25; Halifax, Nova Scotia, Aug. 29 through Sept.2; Miramichi, N.B., Sept. 6-9; Montreal, Sept. 18- 22; Quebec City, Sept. 24-29, and St. John’s, Newfoundland, Oct. 16-20.

GOAL NEEDS YOUR FEET
The Third World charity GOAL USA is looking for runners to join TEAM GOAL USA at this year’s New York City marathon.
“If you were one of the lucky 30,000 people whose names were drawn on Wednesday, June 11, and would like to support one of the world’s most effective Third World charities, please contact us,” said GOAL USA representative Kelly Fincham.
Details on how to run for GOAL in the marathon are available on the website www.goalusa.org/marathon.
According to GOAL, it sends more than 95 percent of all monies raised directly to its aid projects in Africa and Asia. GOAL has raised more than $180 million since it was founded as a sports-based charity by Irish journalist John O’Shea in 1977.