Afghan man assaulted in Cloverhill riot applies for asylum

An Afghan stowaway, who had his arm broken and face slashed by fellow prisoners in Cloverhill, has now made a formal application for asylum.

Walli Ullah Safi (21), was remanded in the west Dublin detention facility after he was discovered on the side of a motorway two weeks ago.

Representatives of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees met with him earlier today, at which point he signalled his intention to make the application.

It has since been confirmed by his legal counsel that Mr Safi has made it known to the Office of Refugee Applications Commissioner that he is seeking asylum.

He will appear before a court hearing on August 5th, until which time it is believed he may remain in Cloverhill prison before he eventually enters the Direct Provision system.

The young man fled his homeland three months ago to escape violence and persecution, but was unwittingly caught up in riots at Cloverhill on Wednesday when he was held captive and beaten by fellow inmates before prison officers managed to intervene.

He was then triaged on site and taken to hospital, but has since returned to a high support unit within the prison.

The Anti-Racism Network Ireland (ARN) has called for his immediate release from custody, and a collection of human rights groups held a demonstration outside the Department of Justice on Friday during which protesters condemned Mr Safi's treatment at the hands of the State.

"Seeking asylum is not a crime, and yet this man, fleeing mortal danger, has been subjected to arrest, imprisonment, and brutal assault since his arrival in Ireland, " said a statement released by ARN yesterday.

It continued: “He arrived in Ireland after travelling for at least three months stowed away in a container. Yet instead of recognising his right to claim asylum and acting on this with due haste and care, inexplicably the authorities have instead held Walli Ullah Safi on remand in Cloverhill Prison for the last fortnight.”

Nasc, the Irish Immigration Support Centre, has called on the Inspector of Prisons to immediately conduct an investigation into Mr Safi's treatment.

Separate investigations have already been launched by An Garda Síochána and the Irish Prison Services into the disturbances earlier this week, and it is believed that punitive action will be taken against a number of the ringleaders involved in riots.