Abdullah Dirir Hersi is a 40-year-old Somali. Having worked as a science teacher and news agency editor, in 1983 he was forced by Somalia's deep economic crisis to go to Kuwait where he worked in a company importing car parts.
In 1990 after Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, Mr Hersi and other Somalis were "advised" by rampaging Iraqi soldiers to leave the country. Fleeing to Iraq (the only way out), Mr Hersi and his friends hired a van on the black market in Baghdad to get to Jordan.
He tried to go to Canada but was stopped at Shannon. After a round trip to Havana landed him back in Shannon he applied for asylum in Ireland. He has since graduated from UCD with a master's degree in financial services.
Despite sending his CV to 200 prospective employers, only two replied. In 6 1/2 years here, he has only managed to get work for two months, as a security guard.
"I don't understand why I'm not being offered a job in this booming economy when I'm fully qualified in financial services. But apart from that, I have seen good sides of Ireland. I have made a lot of good friends; I haven't met any racial harassment. Despite all the difficulties I am very grateful to this State and am applying for Irish citizenship.
"But it's not easy being a refugee. I have lost so much: my country is far away and is falling apart. Above all I need to work. If I could find a proper job, I would be even happier here."
