Scottish authorities hold Irish-born child in asylum centre

The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed it is in contact with authorities in Scotland, where it's claimed an Irish-born baby has been held for over a week at an asylum detention centre.

The baby's mother, Mercy Ikolo from the Cameroon, was returning here from Scotland on August 17, with the one-year-old girl, when they were stopped by immigration officials in Belfast.

They were sent back and held in the Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre.

It has been reported that an attempt was made to deport the pair to Uganda, but Ms Ikolo refused to board the plane, saying she had never even been to Uganda.

The Department Of Foreign Affairs said they are aware of the incident and are trying to establish the facts of the case.

Nobody has yet made a formal approach to the department., including to Irish consulates in Edinburgh and London, on behalf of the woman and child.