13 Romanians granted asylum on appeal

Thirteen Romanian asylum-seekers who arrived as part of a group of 47 people smuggled into Ireland in container lorries last year have been granted asylum on appeal.

The 13 people, members of three families living in the Lough Muckno leisure centre in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, were given refugee status last week after they appealed a decision to have them deported.

The appeals of another seven people, members of three other families, have been refused. The rest of the group is awaiting a decision by the appeal authority, according to a Department of Justice spokesman.

The local Sinn Fein TD, Mr Caoimhghin O Caolain, welcomed the decision yesterday and said he commended the "courageous stand of the Monaghan Roma Support Group who have championed the cause of these families".

The group members smuggled themselves into the port of Rosslare, Co Wexford, in a container carrying rolls of paper last July.

A Dublin barrister, Mr Michael O'Shea, acts as the independent appeals officer.

More than 1,000 asylum-seekers had their applications turned down by the Department of Justice last year, although many are being appealed.

Forty people were granted refugee status on appeal, and approximately 40 more were given refugee status on the discretion of the Minister for Justice after being turned down on appeal.

One of these cases involved a family whose children had suffered the effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.