Garda set to move on Agbonlahor deportations
Evening Echo News
03/07/2007 – 5:25:54 PM
The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) is expected to execute deportation orders against the Agbonlahor family after Olivia Agbonlahor dropped a legal challenge against the State.
Ms Agbonlahor lives in Tralee, Co Kerry with her daughter Melissa and son Great, who she claims would be adversely affected by a move to Nigeria.
Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan who has the power to revoke the order, confirmed he will not be intervening in the case.
As the decision by the ministers predecessor [Michael McDowell] to issue deportation orders in respect of Olivia, Great and Melissa Agbonlahor is being upheld following several reviews, including judicial proceedings, the minister sees no basis for revoking the deportations orders, said his spokeswoman.
Campaigners for the family insisted Greats condition, diagnosed in December, will be seen as voodoo in Nigeria where he could be accused of being possessed.
Mr ODullachain had previously argued that the family should remain in Ireland under an EU directive which became law in October 2006.
He had said the subsidiary protection scheme protects people who have lost an asylum application, but who can apply to remain in the state on humanitarian grounds.
Ms Agbonlahors case was personally reviewed by former Minister for Justice Michael McDowell last year, before Great was diagnosed with autism.
The ex-Tnaistes decision was challenged in the High Court but a judge ruled earlier this year that Mr McDowell was correct not to revoke a deportation order against the family.
Ms Agbonlahor sought leave for a judicial review before dropping all proceedings in the surprise move today.
Ms Agbonlahor came to Ireland in March 2002 after living in Italy with her husband Martins Agbonlahor since 1993.
It is understood Ms Agbonlahor fled Italy when her husband, an author, spoke out against criminality among the Nigerian expatriate community in Italy and she feared persecution.
