Deported pharmacist to sue State
Australian John Meawad also wants the High Court to order the restoration of his clean record after his passport was marked with a note stating he was refused entry.
The 30-year-old Australian citizen, who lives and works in England, fears the mark could cause trouble for him with immigration officials in other countries on future travels.
Mr Meawad succeeded in entering the country yesterday, six days after he ended his first attempt in a Cork garda station cell, accused of trying to come here illegally.
As an Australian, he did not need a visa to travel to Ireland for his intended short stay but he made the “mistake” of being honest with an immigration officer at Cork Airport and explaining that he had come to meet his prospective employer, Waterford-based pharmacy chain owner, Akram Hanna. He was immediately arrested for failing to have a work permit even though he had not yet finalised contract negotiations with Mr Hanna.
Mr Hanna had inquired about getting a permit for him in advance of his arrival but was told that Mr Meawad needed to be registered with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland first and he could only register while physically present in Ireland.
A shocked Mr Meawad was detained in Togher Garda Station in Cork City for several hours and then deported before Mr Hanna had a chance to get a solicitor to him.
Mr Hanna still hopes to sign up Mr Meawad for a post in Mullinahone, Co Tipperary, where one of his four Mari Mina pharmacy outlets is located but he said his main priority was to redress the upset caused to Mr Meawad.
They will be meeting with a solicitor to initiate judicial review proceedings to have Mr Meawad’s passport amended and also intend seeking damages for his arrest and detention.
