Student Kunle gains injunction preventing deportation

The High Court has granted an interim injunction preventing the deportation of Nigerian student Olukunle (Kunle) Elukanio from Ireland.

The application was supported in court today by counsel Miss Dervla Browne SC who appeared for Kunle's son, Adam , who was born last Thursday.

Lawyers for the 20-year-old Nigerian, who has been living in Co Dublin, are seeking to prevent his deportation on the grounds that he is the father of an Irish citizen born to an Irish mother.

Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne granted a continuation of an order made last Friday preventing the deportation of Kunle which was due to take effect on March 28 following Minister for Justice Michael McDowell's rejection of a plea by the student to stay in Ireland.

Today, the judge continued the interim injunction until next Wednesday and said she would deal then with the application for an interlocutory injunction and an application for leave to seek judicial review.

Kunle's counsel Mr Cormac O' Dulachain SC asked for a short adjournment and said that there were two matters which cut to the question of whether the court should grant an interlocutory injunction.

Miss Dervla Browne SC who appeared for baby Adam said the child left hospital last week with his mother and she required time to talk to the mother.

Mr Brian O' Moore SC, who appeared for the Minister for Justice, said that he was anxious to have the matter dealt with as soon as possible.

The hearing was adjourned until 11am next Wednesday.