Just a quick update, SIN-HEL-DUB is not changeable or delay-able. T-10 days (departing SYD and T-14 departing from SIN-DUB) and we've contacted the embassy here today and they've sent an email to Dublin where they're processing (physical passport in Canberra) to check up on it. They're saying that its a complicated case (Not sure why but it could be that shes a VN national + we're dropping the last segment instead of returning to DUB).

They'll be returning the passport on Friday via express post. They've noted that even though the passport has been returned, the visa will still be processing and if it does get approved while we're in SIN then we can get the passport stickered at any Irish embassy.

If things don't go our way, I have a couple choices, one is to fork out $300-600x2 for change fees to move up our DUB-HNL flights. Another choice I have maybe book DUB-LHR and same day return to DUB. However, the problem that may raise with this is that, SIN may not allow my wife to board her SIN-DUB flight as she does not have neither a Irish Visa nor a UK visa so even though I may have DUB-LHR-DUB return (same day) flights that may not be sufficient for the check in counter.

Its quite disappointing as we've been waiting for the visa for 3 months and we've applied according to the embassies timetable as well. Any thoughts?

Edit: Changing is NOT an option now as AA has priced it at $5800~ PP