Refugees and asylum seekers
The terms “refugee” and “asylum seeker” are used interchangeably, but they are separate legal categories.
Firstly, refugees are those who have completed the asylum process successfully, having been able to meet criteria laid down in Section 2 of the 1996 Refugee Act. They enjoy similar rights to Irish people and are fully entitled to remain here. The term “illegal refugee” is an oxymoron. There is no such thing. In no way can the very fact of being a refugee be termed illegal. Moreover, as all refugees have by definition successfully completed the asylum process, none could be detained by the gardaí.
