US travel advice for Irish flying to America as guidance urgently updated amid New Orleans attack
The Irish Embassy has issued updated guidance for travellers to the US following a devastating suspected terror attack in New Orleans. A vehicle drove into a crowd of New Year’s Eve revellers, killing 15 and injuring dozens.
Updated guidance has been issued to Irish travellers heading to America by the Embassy. The Irish Consulate in Austin in the US has shared new advice for those planning on visiting the USA following a shocking outbreak of violence in New Orleans yesterday.
In a devastating incident, 15 people lost their lives and dozens have been injured when a vehicle was driven into a crowd of New Year's Eve revellers. It bypassed police blockades to mow down party-goers celebrating on Bourbon Street.
The FBI identified the driver as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, a US citizen from Texas, and said the flag of the Islamic State group was on the truck’s trailer hitch. The assailant was shot dead by police.
Irish citizens in New Orleans or planning to travel there, have been told: "Stay safe and follow instructions of local authorities."
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The Embassy's latest guidance reads: "We are aware of the incident that took place in New Orleans earlier. Updates on the latest situation can be found here. Irish citizens who need to contact the Consulate can do so at +1.512.792.5500. Stay safe and follow instructions of local authorities."
Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Michael Martin, said: "Shocked and horrified by the suspected terror attack that left 15 dead and many more injured in New Orleans. Our thoughts and condolences go to all the victims and their families. Ireland stands in solidarity with the people of New Orleans and the US at this tragic time."
The Ambassador of Ireland to the USA, Geraldine Byrne Nason, added: “Monitoring the tragic incident in beautiful New Orleans overnight. Our condolences to all involved. The Consulate of Ireland in Austin Texas is working to support any Irish citizens who need assistance.”
Irish-American woman Laura Kelley left celebrations in the area just half an hour before the tragedy occurred. She told the Irish Mirror: “Myself and all my friends were down in the French Quarter. It's where all the big fireworks go off, the weather is gorgeous right now so it’s wonderful to be outside. It’s the place to go to spend New Year’s Eve, so this is shocking.
“We left the quarter at about 2.45am so it was just by chance that we left shortly before the incident, so we left in a good mood. You know when you feel you’ve got to get out of a crowd because something is happening? That wasn’t there at all. I think with the celebrations and the lateness no one expected that.”
Ms Kelley, who spends every summer in Ireland as Director of Tulane University’s summer in Dublin programme, said the community is “still in shock” following the disaster, and she is still trying to process it.
She added: “People come to New Orleans on holiday and to have someone purposely destroy that is so utterly distressing and my heart goes out to those families who lost a loved one on the first day of 2025. New Orleans is all about community, we have had to face a lot of natural disasters and man-made disasters and violence, and it’s the community that keeps us together.
“I think that’s why so many Irish people like New Orleans because it’s about family and friends and getting together. So when something like this happens it shatters families, peace and the community but also it’s not what New Orleans is about.”
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