Visas and Passports Unlimited - terrible service at a premium price

Thought I would be better off paying a company to apply for a visa. Luckily I did not purchase tickets. I should already have been in Ireland. I app**** in February for April. Started calling every week initially - was told they are following up. Today I was told that they are receiving applications back done in March - they are following up on applications made in February that haven't yet been sent back. I called how many times and was told they are following up, and the waiting time has been extended - now they are saying there is a problem. Maybe if they had made the effort to follow up, I and possibly others would have been able to travel. I have no idea what happens now since I sent an itinerary for specific dates. This company is expensive and you pay for a service. There is no follow up, no communication, and the tracking button will only show the date they expect to receive the application back - which has also passed. My plan was to spend easter with my grandchild, I had to cancel my leave. I am in finance, I plan things strategically, I have a year end coming up. Traveling in August or September was never my plan because it's the summer holidays there. I don't know what to do - these people have my passport - I am so sad I couldn't see my granddaughter this year. Never will I use this company again - I will do my own application at less than half the cost - I paid them so they could manage the admin. Pity there isn't a negative 5 star rating.