Friends of deported student to mount Dáil protest today

Friends of a Nigerian Leaving Cert student who was deported from Ireland last week are due to mount a protest outside the Dáil today.

Olunkunle Eluhanla was among 35 Nigerians deported to Lagos on a specially-chartered flight following the rejection of their asylum applications.

His fellow students from Palmerstown Community School are planning a Dáil protest this afternoon to call on the Government to allow him return to Ireland.

Pupils from several other Dublin schools are also due to take part in the demonstration.

Last night, Justice Minister Michael McDowell rejected calls from several politicians for Mr Eluhanla to be allowed to return, claiming to do so would lead to a chaotic immigration system.