Deportation of mother and three children suspended

THE DEPORTATION of a Nigerian mother and her three children – one of them who is seriously ill – has been suspended pending a review of their case.

Ayodola Adekunle (5) has been in Ireland with her mother Eniola and two siblings for two years. She was diagnosed with sickle-cell anaemia and has been receiving treatment at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital.

A Department of Justice spokeswoman confirmed yesterday the case was being reviewed “following legal intervention” by the family’s solicitor.

She stressed the review referred to this specific case only and was not an indication of a new stance by the department on asylum cases involving sickle-cell disease.

It is understood Ms Adekunle, who is currently living at the Balseskin reception centre in north Dublin, has been told to report to the city-centre offices of the Garda National Immigration Bureau as usual next Wednesday to ‘‘sign on’’.

Rosanna Flynn of the Residents Against Racism organisation said Ms Adekunle was “massively relieved, though still worried because this is not a permanent, definite reprieve”.

Dr Karina McMahon, the doctor treating Ayodola, said the child’s life would be seriously impaired if she returned to Nigeria.

“We know that in Africa, 50 per cent of children with sickle-cell anaemia do not live to see their fifth birthday. She should be here on a decent sickle-cell programme,” she said

Sufferers are at risk of a range of complications and life expectancy is impaired.