More than 50 Nigerians, some of whom claim to have been on hunger strike for almost a week, protested yesterday outside the Dáil over the signing- on regulations at their hostels.
The men, most of whom are parents of Irish-born children, were representing up to 150 others in the Lower Gardiner Street and Hatch Hall hostels in Dublin, who have begun to refuse food at various stages since last Wednesday.
They claim they are being prevented from reuniting with their families, some living in Cork and Kerry, by having to sign in every morning and evening at their Dublin hostels.
They fear this is a first step to deportation.
Ola Johoso said he had not eaten since Thursday but intended to continue until he was allowed to live with his wife and daughters in Kildare.
A Department of Justice spokeswoman said hostel residents were required to sign on at the reception/integration agency in the morning or the National Immigration Bureau in the evening, depending on the stage of the asylum process.
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