Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Asylum Applications.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

1356 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an asylum application by a person (details supplied); if the file relating to this case has been located; and if a fresh ID and related documents have been issued to this person. [15878/02]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell):

The person concerned was refused refugee status on 12 February 2001, after his case had been considered by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and following an unsuccessful appeal to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. His case was considered by my predecessor, Deputy O'Donoghue, under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act, 1999, including representations made on his behalf for leave to remain. My predecessor signed a deportation order in respect of him on 26 February 2002. The person concerned subsequently applied to the High Court for permission to take judicial review proceedings against the Minister's decision. His application was refused on 9 May 2002.

A letter issued on 8 July 2002 to the person concerned under section 3(b)(ii) of the Immigration Act, 1999 requesting him to attend at Kilkenny Garda station on 12 July 2002 in order to make arrangements for his deportation. He failed to show up on that date as requested. He was subsequently arrested by the GNIB under section 5(1) of the Immigration Act, 1999, and detained at Cloverhill Prison. Although he is a Russian national, he was resident in Estonia before coming to Ireland. An attempt was made to deport him to Estonia on 24 July 2002 but on arrival he was refused leave to land as his residency there had expired and he had to be taken back. The Estonian authorities have stated that he must apply to have his Estonian residency renewed from the Russian Federation on his return there. The Russian Embassy in Dublin has been requested to provide a travel document for the purpose of his removal to Russia. When this document has been secured he will be deported from the State.