Deportee Wins Asylum in Ireland After Overturning Deportation

A man who was deported from Ireland to Nigeria on a government charter flight earlier this year has successfully appealed for asylum, reversing his deportation order. The individual, in his 30s, has been granted international protection following the recognition of threats to his life due to his sexual orientation in Nigeria.

This case marks one of the first successful appeals from a deportee on that flight, which was part of a broader government initiative targeting asylum seekers. The man provided new evidence indicating he is considered a wanted criminal in Nigeria because of his sexuality. He now has ten days to obtain a visa and return to Dublin for a meeting with the International Protection office, where he hopes to resume his life after being forcibly removed two months ago.

His legal representatives have requested an extension from the Department of Justice, citing difficulties in securing a visa appointment. The individual expressed his concerns: “I need to get things arranged to get to Dublin in time, but I’m in Nigeria right now – what can I do? I had good friends in Ireland.” These friends have assisted him by providing witness statements to support his claims to Irish immigration authorities.

The man was apprehended while preparing to work at a poultry farm in Co Cavan over two months ago, and he believes that his previous position has now been filled. He was among the 35 passengers on the deportation flight, which marked the first such operation in over a decade.

Due to safety concerns, he spoke anonymously, fearing that local authorities might attempt to detain him before his return to Ireland. “I can’t go outside because of the fear and of the threat,” he stated. “I’m afraid where I am; I’m not safe.”

The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (Ipat) recently overturned a prior decision that denied him the right to remain in Ireland. In a ruling issued last week, Ipat acknowledged that he is a gay man who has faced persecution in Nigeria, even being named in police bulletins seeking his arrest due to his sexual orientation. The tribunal reviewed new evidence, including a police report and documentation revealing a criminal record associated with his previous same-sex relationship, which is illegal in Nigeria.

The legal team from Ferry Solicitors in Dublin argued that the man would face severe repercussions from Nigerian authorities, particularly following the introduction of a law banning same-sex marriages over a decade ago. He described the past few months as a “roller coaster,” highlighting the need to remain out of public view in Nigeria.

Having arrived in Ireland in 2020, he worked on chicken farms in Co Monaghan and Co Cavan until his deportation in June 2023. His partner’s family has sought him out since their relationship was discovered, with online news reports in Nigeria actively searching for updates on his whereabouts after local community members identified him.

“I think people in Ireland will find it difficult to believe that this could happen,” he remarked. “My situation was true. What happened to me is on the internet and is documented by the police. It’s really, really difficult for me.”

After fleeing Nigeria, he initially sought refuge in Italy but chose to come to Ireland due to fewer barriers in the job market and the shared language. “I was like, ‘Okay, let me just go to a place where they are able to understand my story better,’” he explained.

Despite his initial asylum application being rejected due to inadequate documentation, he has now successfully presented new evidence that led to the reversal of his deportation order. The Department of Justice was contacted for comment but did not respond by the time of publication.

This case underscores the complexities faced by individuals seeking asylum and the critical need for robust support systems for those fleeing persecution based on their sexual orientation.