THE DEPORTATION of a Nigerian mother and her three children – one of them who is seriously ill – has been suspended pending a review of their case.
Ayodola Adekunle (5) has been in Ireland with her mother Eniola and two siblings for two years. She was diagnosed with sickle-cell anaemia and has been receiving treatment at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital.
A Department of Justice spokeswoman confirmed yesterday the case was being reviewed “following legal intervention” by the family’s solicitor.
She stressed the review referred to this specific case only and was not an indication of a new stance by the department on asylum cases involving sickle-cell disease.
It is understood Ms Adekunle, who is currently living at the Balseskin reception centre in north Dublin, has been told to report to the city-centre offices of the Garda National Immigration Bureau as usual next Wednesday to ‘‘sign on’’.
Rosanna Flynn of the Residents Against Racism organisation said Ms Adekunle was “massively relieved, though still worried because this is not a permanent, definite reprieve”.
Dr Karina McMahon, the doctor treating Ayodola, said the child’s life would be seriously impaired if she returned to Nigeria.
“We know that in Africa, 50 per cent of children with sickle-cell anaemia do not live to see their fifth birthday. She should be here on a decent sickle-cell programme,” she said
Sufferers are at risk of a range of complications and life expectancy is impaired.
This is at 'The Crib' in front of the GPO on O'Connel Street. It is between 4.30pm and 6.00 pm on Tuesday the 22nd Dec 2009. This will also be an opportunity for RAR to cry out about the injustice happening to Irish Citizen children of immigrants.
Rosanna Flynn gave an interview on 21st Dec. 2009 at FM 104 and once again talked about the plight of this unique group of parents of Irish Citizen children being denied their natural rights of being with their kids.
"RAR QUIZ" - The regular end of year quiz took place on 27/11/09 and was fun for everyone. Prizes were won and it brought in the season's mood. There was also a Poem for RAR.
On Thursday 27th August, a group of Irish children gathered to give Minister Dermot Ahern another reminder of just how much they need their immigrant dads.
The fathers are under threat of deportation to Nigeria, despite the youngsters having status as Irish citizens and, in many cases, relying on them as primary carers.
8/7/09 - Press Release: Irish citizen children to rally at dail to keep their immigrant dads here
The Irish government is currently trying to deport women and girls who are under under threat of being maimed or killed by Female Genital Mutilation. >> More
The government's Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008, if it comes into law, would make a desperately unjust system even worse. >> More
On Tuesday 30th June, Irish authorities, in league with their British counterparts, staged another mass deportation to Nigeria - the third within two months and a clear sign of the ramping up of removals by the state. A seven month pregnant woman, on crutches from a broken leg, was among the 34 asylum seekers rounded up from all over Ireland.
There was a public show of opposition to the deportation organised by Residents Against Racism. Spokesperson Rosanna Flynn said: "Every time these deportations happen it means families being torn apart. This is simply horrendous"
