Mother and two children to be deported

A SOUTH AFRICAN mother-of-two, who has received huge support in her battle to remain in Ireland, has been told she will be flying back to her former home later this week.

Immigration officials have told Nteta Appiakorang she must leave the country on Saturday. The mother of two girls, aged 11 and eight, is devastated at the news, friends said. Her supporters have launched a last attempt to prevent the deportation, lobbying government ministers and deputies. But they claim to have been unable to get in contact with Justice Minister Michael McDowell’s office to plead Nteta’s case.

Ms Appiakorang, who fled South Africa following the murder of her husband and son, first applied for asylum two-and-a-half years ago. While the process was continuing, she made a new home in Tralee with her two daughters, Senita and Yesunia.