A young Japanese advertising executive who arrived in the State last Wednesday to do a three-month English language course was arrested at Dublin Airport and has been in detention since, the High Court heard yesterday.
Mr Justice McCracken made an order releasing Mr Naomitsu Kanaya (27). He also gave Mr Kanaya leave to challenge an immigration officer's refusal of permission to "land" here.
Mr Kanaya was refused leave to "land" on the grounds that he did not have a valid permit for employment. But, the court was told, it was never Mr Kanaya's intention to work here and the purpose of his visit was to pursue a course in the English language at the Centre of English Studies, Dame Street, Dublin. He did not intend to stay in Ireland for longer than three months.
Mr Patrick Long, for Mr Kanaya, said the man had been held in the Detention Centre, Glengariff Parade, Dublin since Wednesday last. Mr Justice McCracken ordered his release and said the case should come before the court again on Monday next.
Mr Kanaya said the officer did not examine his documents relating to the course.
He had £1,000 in various currencies, including IR£545. He produced the money to the officer who did not count it, he said.
His parents were paying £1,200 for his tuition and making him an allowance of £400 a month during his Irish stay. He intended to return to Japan at the conclusion of the threemonth study course and he had a return air ticket to Japan.
Mr Kanaya said he had been to Ireland twice last year, staying with a friend, and had not engaged in employment.