A professional rugby player who previously played for Leinster is currently prohibited from playing the sport in Ireland because he needs to wear protective eye goggles during games.

A trial of the goggles was sanctioned by World Rugby in January 2014, however the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has so far declined to participate in this trial. This effectively blocks players that need the goggles from playing in this country.

Twenty-four international rugby unions are participating in the trial, however Ireland, England and France have declined to participate.

Ian McKinley (25), who is from Dublin, was called up to the Zebre squad last month, having been signed to Italian league side, Viadana. He played for Zebre in recent weeks but cannot participate in their next fixture, because it is against Connacht in Galway.

"I received a letter from the IRFU last week saying they could not permit me to play against Connacht if I wear the protective goggles. They had sought World Rugby's advice and were told a player from a participating union may not wear goggles while playing in the jurisdiction of a union that is not participating in the trial.

"So I am now faced with a ludicrous situation, whereby the IRFU will allow me to play if I do not wear the goggles, but they will not permit me to play if I wear this essential piece of protective gear," Mr McKinley explained.

He has launched a campaign calling on the IRFU and World Rugby to facilitate his participation in games in Ireland.

Mr McKinley was involved in developing the goggles after an accident in 2010 left him with no sight in one eye.

"I lost my eye when a team mate accidentally put his stud in it during a ruck, causing a full rupture. I was determined to stay playing despite my injury, and I continued with Leinster for a further 18 months. However during that time, my good eye was deliberately gouged during two All-Ireland League matches.

"I had to face up to the reality that I could end up blind if I continued to play without protective eyewear. So I made the excruciating decision to quit the game I loved at the age of 21," he said.

He then worked with designers from NCAD who were studying for their masters in medical device design. The protective goggles that were subsequently developed are now being manufactured by an Italian firm and are used by 525 players worldwide.

Mr McKinley said that when World Rugby agreed to conduct a trial of the goggles back in January 2014, he felt like he had been ‘handed a lifeline'.

"This has enabled me to return to playing professionally because wearing the goggles, I know my good eye is protected. However, it is heart-breaking that I am not currently allowed to play in my own home country.

"Over the past two years, myself and others in similar situations have been in ongoing contact with World Rugby and the IRFU to see if we can resolve this situation once and for all. I feel strongly that the restrictions being placed on me are in breach of anti-discrimination legislation here in Ireland, as well as EU laws on workers' mobility," he commented.

He said he felt he had no option but to launch a public campaign to highlight this issue.

"The IRFU have made it clear that they do not intend subscribing to the trial. At the same time, we feel that World Rugby are stalling - it is in their power to compel domestic governing bodies to sanction the wearing of the goggles, but they are not doing so.

"Since the trial began 22 months ago, in all the multiple age-grades, contexts and standards of testing, not one injury or incident has been reported to World Rugby. Therefore, it simply makes no sense to me that this matter cannot now be progressed," he said.

Mr McKinley and his supporters are contacting a range of people to highlight this issue, including, politicians, medical experts, legal experts and sports body representatives. They have also launched an online petition calling on the IRFU and World Rugby to resolve this situation. To sign the petition, click here