Man facing deportation to Egypt fears he will be killed because he is gay, Cork court told

Accused is charged with escaping from custody as he was being taken into Cork Prison, and assault causing harm to a garda at Cork Prison on January 15

Defendant is charged with escape from Cork Prison and assaulting garda. Picture: Dan Linehan

A man facing deportation who believes he will be killed if he is sent back to Egypt was remanded in custody on April 1 until April 15 on charges of assaulting a garda and escaping from custody.

Judge Mary Dorgan adjourned the case for a fortnight at Cork District Court, on the application of Sergeant Aisling Murphy.

34-year-old Ahmed Ibrahim, of The Cooperage, Boheereencael, Killarney, Co Kerry, is charged with escaping from custody as he was being taken into Cork Prison, and assault causing harm to Garda Marian McCarthy at Cork Prison on January 15, allegedly arising out of the same incident.

Detective Sergeant Ernie Henderson said the accused man replied when charged: “I will be killed if I return to Egypt because I am gay.” 

As well as escape and assault causing harm, he is also charged with obstructing a member of An Garda Síochána during this alleged escape in January.

The defendant was arrested in Enniscorthy Co Wexford, on February 20 and brought before a special sitting of Cork District Court the following day, when he was charged.

The accused man was represented in Cork District Court by solicitor Eddie Burke.