The relief agency Concern has appealed to the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, not to deport a Burundian family who have been refused leave to apply for asylum here.
Concern's director for Burundi, Mr Dominic MacSorley, said yesterday returning the couple, Mr Joseph Ntidendereza and Ms Carinie Barwendere, and their three children, could place their lives in jeopardy.
Mr MacSorley, who has been Concern's country director in Burundi for the past three years, said: "I would not ask anyone of either Hutu or Tutsi ethnic origin to return to that country. It could mean death for them."
Under EU rules, the couple are facing deportation to Germany, where they lived before coming to live in Blackrock, Co Dublin, six months ago. They say they fled Germany after being subjected to racial and neo-Nazi harassment.
Mr Ntidendereza says he is convinced the German authorities will send the family back to Burundi.
"It is really quite difficult for Irish people to appreciate the terror of living in Burundi today," said Mr MacSorley. "Life is very cheap and a climate of fear permeates the country.
"For example, in the past three months, one of the Concern staff members has been shot dead and two Land Rovers stolen. The death toll for the week April 21st to 27th was 73 people, including a Danish aid worker."
