A distraught dad whose triplets were born via surrogacy in Kenya has called on the Irish Government to help get them out of the country.
Edward O’Reilly’s three daughters were born prematurely on September 1. The Dubliner raced to Nairobi to see his newborns but has been left devastated after the surrogacy service he used demanded a further €16,000 when he arrived despite already paying €50,000 and being told all expenses were covered in the initial payment.
Edward was also slapped with another €12,000 in hospital bills for the babies’ medication and food. He is also liable for another €11,000 to pay medics. But Edward said the medication, food, and medics bill is rising every day.
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The 33-year-old said he pleaded with the Irish Embassy in Kenya for help while he was there but eventually left the country last week without his children. He also told of a further distressing incident in which he was violently beaten on the streets and said he was left fearful for his life.
Edward said it will be easier to raise the funds in Ireland than in Kenya and said he plans on returning as soon as possible to get his kids home. Speaking from his Dublin home, he told Dublin Live: “Instead of getting on the plane with three babies, I’m coming back with three birth certs.
“I’ve come back to an apartment full of baby stuff, cots, prams, and clothing. I’ve just been looking at it all the last few days, I can’t explain the feeling. I’m devastated.” Edward said while he was in Kenya, he pleaded with the Irish Embassy for help but said they did nothing.
He added: “Since I’ve come home, I’ve been crying myself to sleep. I pleaded with the Irish government, I have a video on my phone in the embassy saying, ‘Please give me help’ and there was nothing they could do. Obviously, I can’t blame the Irish Government for me putting myself in this situation but they could have handled it a little better.”
Edward said the Government was able to assist those fleeing the war in Ukraine but have failed to help him. He added: “I’m in my own war, I know the situation is different to the one in Ukraine but I’d rather be in a bombshell in Ukraine with my kids in my arms than have them 5,000 miles away from me, not knowing if they’re safe or not.”
Edward’s three children remain in a Kenyan hospital where they continue to receive treatment for being born prematurely but he is fearful about what will happen to them if he doesn’t raise the money. Edward explained: “I’m very worried, I’m scared. I’m petrified, I’m worried that my children are going to be taken out of the hospital.
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“I’m 5,000 miles away and they’re in a hospital. That’s three Irish citizens, three babies who can’t speak for themselves or defend themselves.” At present, there are no laws governing surrogacy in Kenya.
The Department of Foreign Affairs told Dublin Live: “The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance. As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the details of any individual case.”
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