McDowell refuses to act on deportation of mother and children

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell has said he will not intervene to prevent a single mother in hospital and her five children from being deported to Nigeria.

Elizabeth Onasanwo, who saw her sister die as a result of female genital mutilation, fled Nigeria in 1999 when her house was burnt to the ground by militant youths who accused her of stealing from them. Some of her activities involved speaking out against the Nigerian government on behalf of local youth groups.

Her case has become one of the most high profile deportation struggles in recent months as the Government continues to increase its rate of repatriations.

But in the end appeals to the Minister of Justice to allow the family remain on humanitarian grounds by opposition politicians, including Ruraí Quinn, Joe Costello and Joe Higgins as well as school principles and concerned locals, came to nothing.

A petition signed by 16 TDs and almost 1,500 people also counted for nothing. Responding to the situation on 98 FM in Dublin, yesterday, Minister McDowell said he could not let the case interfere with the integrity of the asylum process.

"I make no exceptions and the fact that TDs weigh in on behalf of individuals isn't the critical factor. The crucial question is maintaining the integrity of our immigration policy, and that's what I do," said Minister McDowell.

Ken Duggan, headmaster of Dublin's CBS Westland Row, where Elizabeth's 15-year-old son Busola is attending, was shocked yesterday on hearing the minister's comments.

"I'm very saddened that the Minister has taken such a course of action, especially since it is in his own constituency. But it's not a surprise.

Rosanna Flynn of Residents Against Racism, who has campaigned on behalf of the Onasanwo family, said the decision was devastating for all involved.

"I'm absolutely devastated that the minister should say that. This family will be totally destroyed if they are sent back to Nigeria," she said.