Full Breakdown
Estranged Daughters Demand Father’s Return to Face Drug Charges Amid ICE Detention
2/16/2026, 4:18:14 AM
Background of Seamus Culleton's Detention
Seamus Culleton, an Irishman, has been held in a Texas immigration detention facility since September 9, 2025, after being arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Culleton entered the United States in 2009 under a visa waiver program but overstayed his allowed 90-day stay. He faces long-standing drug charges in Ireland, including possession with intent to sell and obstructing police, stemming from incidents in 2008. His daughters, Heather and Melissa Morrissey, claim he abandoned them when they were infants, leaving their mother, Margaret “Maggie” Morrissey, to raise them alone.
Daughters' Perspective on Their Father's Actions
The Morrissey twins, now nearly 19, have publicly criticized their father, asserting that he should return to Ireland to face his drug charges. They expressed feelings of abandonment, stating they have not received any financial support from him. Heather remarked, “I feel that we were born and he just up and left. He did abandon us. That’s what he did.” The sisters were particularly upset by a GoFundMe campaign that raised nearly $30,000 for Culleton's legal fees, which they described as “nearly child maintenance money.”
Culleton's Claims of Torture in Detention
Culleton has described his conditions in ICE custody as torturous, claiming he has been locked in a “filthy” room with inadequate food and sanitation. He stated, “You don’t know what’s going to happen on a day-to-day basis,” highlighting the uncertainty and fear he faces. Despite being offered the chance to return to Ireland immediately, he chose to remain in detention, which the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) characterized as a conscious decision.
Official Statements and Responses
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated that Culleton received full due process and was issued a final deportation order by a federal judge. She emphasized that Culleton's continued detention was a choice, urging illegal aliens to utilize the CBP Home app for self-deportation options. The twins, however, feel that Culleton is misrepresenting his situation, with Heather stating, “He was making himself out to be a saint, like he’s done nothing wrong.”
Criticism and Opposition
The Morrissey sisters' public statements have drawn attention to the complexities of Culleton's case, particularly the emotional toll on families affected by immigration enforcement. They criticized their father's wife, Tiffany Smyth, for prioritizing their dogs over her children, stating, “They’re dogs. I understand people love animals and all that, but he has children. His dogs aren’t his children.”
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
While Culleton claims to have had a valid work permit and a pending green card application at the time of his arrest, the DHS maintains that he was in the U.S. illegally. The discrepancies in these accounts highlight the contentious nature of immigration enforcement and the personal stories intertwined with these legal battles.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I feel that we were born and he just up and left. He did abandon us. That’s what he did,” — Heather Morrissey, Daughter of Seamus Culleton
- “You don’t know what’s going to happen on a day-to-day basis.” — Seamus Culleton, ICE Detainee
- “He was making himself out to be a saint, like he’s done nothing wrong, like he knows that there are warrants here for his arrest and that was going to come out,” — Heather Morrissey, Daughter of Seamus Culleton
This situation underscores the emotional and legal complexities surrounding immigration cases, particularly those involving family dynamics and unresolved legal issues.
