Algerian’s case compared to Tom Hanks film

An Algerian who found himself in Ireland in what a judge described as a predicament similar to the central character in the film The Terminal has been awarded the costs of a legal challenge he took over his situation.

Last year, Nacer Benloulou was extradited to Ireland from France, where he had lived since 1984, on a charge of having been illegally resident in Ireland at some previous time.

He was acquitted of all charges, released from jail, found himself homeless, and unable to get the papers needed to return to France, the High Court heard.