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Agbonlahor Deportation Protest

14/07/07

A large crowd of anti-racism protesters gathered on Tuesday last outside of Leinster House to demand that the imminent halting of the deportation of a young Irish-African family.

Olivia Agbonlahor and her twin six year old children Great and Melissa have been ordered to report to the Garda National Immigration Bureau in Dublin next Thursday (July 19) for deportation to Nigeria.

Although Olivia is originally from Nigeria, Great and Melissa were born in Italy and have lived in Ireland for the last four years. The family have made their home in Tralee, county Kerry and are well-liked and respected by local people.

The order for the family's forced removal from Ireland was signed by notorious former Minister for Justice Michael McDowell in one of his last acts as Minister. At the time, McDowell was an unelected politician having been already rejected by his constituents at the recent general election.

Yesterday's protest hoped to place pressure on McDowell's replacement in the justice ministry, Brian Lenihan, to rescind the vindictive decision.

éirígí chairperson Brian Leeson highlighted Lenihan's previous governmental position suggesting that it might have provided the minister with some insight into why he should allow the Agbonlahor's to stay in Ireland.

"As a former Minister for Children one would hope that Brian Lenihan would have some understanding of the damage that will be done to these children if they are removed from the only home that they have ever known to be deported to a country that they have never even visited.’

"Great's particular plight in terms of his severe autistic condition has been well documented. There is one school in Nigeria that caters for children with special needs - and that is for children suffering from downs syndrome.

"If Brian Lenhian has learned anything in his time as Minister for Children, he should immediately overturn his bigoted predecessor's decision and allow the Agbonlahor's to build their life in Ireland, free from the fear of judicial racism and further upheaval."