McDowell rejects pleas on behalf of deported Nigerian man

Justice Minister Michael McDowell has rejected requests for a Leaving Cert student who was deported to Nigeria last week to be allowed to return to Ireland.

Several politicians had asked Mr McDowell to reconsider the case of Olunkunle Eluhanla, who was among a group of 35 Nigerians deported to Lagos last week following the rejection of their asylum applications.

His supporters, who include his fellow pupils at Palmerstown Community College in Dublin, said he was 19 years old and had no relatives in Nigeria

However, Mr McDowell insisted last night that he was actually 20 or 21 and claimed allowing him to return to Ireland "would lead to a chaotic immigration system".