A couple who sought compensation for a €4,000 holiday that was left in tatters because their visas failed to arrive have been given no joy as the honorary consul for India was declared diplomatically immune.

Stuart and Mary Craig said they had been repeatedly told by the consul, Johann Cuschieri, that their visas would definitely arrive on time and, with his assurance, booked what was meant to be a dream holiday.

Even on the day they were supposed to leave the country, he told them to go to the office to pick the visas up.

But the documents had still not arrived and the couple were left high and dry, so they went to court in an attempt to get their money back.

In a judgment yesterday, Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna said in the case it had been proven that Mr Cuschieri was the honorary consul and that by law matters pertaining to the issuing of visas were considered diplomatic.

Since Mr Cuschieri had diplomatic immunity in such issues, the magistrate had no jurisdiction over the case.

Lawyer Stefano Filletti appeared for Mr Cuschieri.