Court allows refugees to challenge Minister for Justice

The High Court has granted leave to two African families who have been declared as refugees to challenge the Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern's refusal to allow them to bring their families to Ireland.

In their action the two, who are from Somalia, are seeking orders from the Court quashing the Minister for Justice's decision to refuse their families application for family reunification pursuant to section 18 of the 1996 Refugee Act.

They are also seeking an order that the Minister reconsider as a matter of urgency the decision to refuse the application, and to re-determine it in a manner that is lawful and fair.

They are further seeking a number of declarations including that the manner in which their families applications to reside here was unlawful, and that the failure to provide an independent appeal mechanism is in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The court was told the applicant's family members, which includes spouses, brothers, children and parents are residing in locations in Ethiopia.

Today at the High Court, Mr Justice John Edwards granted leave to both sets of applicants.