Ruling allows refugees stay if they face serious harm at home

MANY more refugees afraid to return to their own countries should qualify to remain in Ireland following a ruling from the European Court of Justice which says they need only face serious harm if they return home.

As a result, an applicant does not have to prove he or she is specifically targeted if they return to their home country, but should only have to show that because of the level of violence he or she would be at real risk.

The ruling could affect Nigerian woman Pamela Izevbekhai and her two daughters who face deportation, despite her fear that the girls will be subject to genital mutilation. She is waiting for the European Court of Human Rights to hear her case.