A Romanian living in Ireland for almost two years secured a temporary High Court order yesterday preventing his deportation.
Mr Lorand Acatincai, with an address at Winsyard Drive, Clonskeagh, Dublin, was granted an interim injunction restraining the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform from taking any steps to deport him.
He was also given leave to seek orders directing the Minister to consider his application for refugee status in accordance with the UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, and quashing a decision of the Minister to deport him.
Ms Teresa Blake, for Mr Acatincai, told Mr Justice McCracken that he had been in Ireland since June 1996. Last October he was joined by his wife, infant daughter and other members of the family.
In an affidavit, Mr Acatincai said he and a companion left Romania in June 1996 and travelled to Ireland via the UK. He made an application seeking asylum in Ireland around midJune 1996.
He received two letters from the Department. One informed him his application for asylum would not be entertained and the second said a deportation order was being recommended to the Minister. He was informed he could make representations as long as they did not relate to his claim for political asylum.
Mr Acatincai said he sought the assistance of the Irish Refugee Council, and representations were made on his behalf over a number of months. He objected to his deportation.
Since his initial application in June 1996 he had not been called for interview with an interpreter, had not been informed of the position of the UNHCR in respect of his application, and had not been informed of the progress of his application for asylum. He had not been given an opportunity of presenting his case before the Independent Appeals Authority.
Last October he had been joined by his wife and infant daughter. On May 13th he had attended an interview at the Department regarding his application for asylum. He was called from the room to speak with an immigration official and was handed a letter informing him he had five days to leave Ireland and that a deportation order had been signed. His wife and infant daughter were informed they would have to follow him to the UK.