Grossly unfair asylum process no exaggeration
At what point did Mr McDowell realise that there was no gross exaggeration? We must remember that Kunle's return is only a short-term solution, which leads us to believe that it is an exaggeration to say Mr McDowell has had a gross change of heart.
Is it a gross exaggeration to say that 20 months ago, an African mother, who complied fully with our asylum process, felt she had no option but to flee Ireland the night before she was due to be deported, leaving what was most precious to her, her two girls. This was the first case where a mother abandoned her children.
In the last few weeks, other mothers have done the same. How desperate must these women have felt? How desperate do their children feel? Has our asylum process been just and fair to them?
Six months ago a Zimbabwean friend, and his two children, returned voluntarily to that country. Why? Because he felt so helpless. After three years of waiting for the asylum process to come to a decision, he chose to return, and probably die for his country. Maybe then his children would respect him. Maybe then he could respect himself.
Our asylum process certainly didn't. Or is this another gross exaggeration?
How many more chose voluntary repatriation? How many more have just disappeared? How many more were on that flight with Kunle? How many children were pulled out of schools and placed on planes? Who are they?
How many of these files has Mr McDowell personally examined? How many times has he granted Humanitarian Leave to Remain? How many cases have we not heard about? Where are these figures?
Is it an exaggeration to say that Mr McDowell underestimated the public's reaction when the true reality of deportation became known? Will he risk underestimating it again? Can he afford to?
Is it a gross exaggeration to state that Mr McDowell was responsible for gross neglect in the case of Kunle? Is it possible that there may be others?
Cara Wallace Costello and Debra O'Leary
Castlemaine
Tralee
Co Kerry
