Hearing date for alleged Isis activist fixed for March 1st

Proceedings brought by a man allegedly involved with Islamic extremists to prevent his deporation from Ireland will be heard on March 1st.

The man,who cannot be identified for legal reasons, brought proceedings arising out of a decision taken by the authorities last March not to renew his residency permit.

The State claims the man was consulted by, gave directions to and has consulted with senior violent extremist leaders outside Ireland. He is alleged to be involved in recruiting and making travel arrangements for members of Islamic extremist group Isis.

He denies he has acted on behalf of Isis or represents a threat to national security.

The man, who has been living in Ireland since 2000, secured residency on the basis of the birth here of his Irish citizen son, now aged 15. His residency permit was not renewed because his son has been living overseas.

The Irish authorities then informed him of their intention to deport him to a Middle East country where he fears he will be tortured because of his political activism.

The man’s proceedings were briefly mentioned on Monday morning before the High Court registrar dealing with asylum matters. Lawyers for the State sought an accelerated hearing of the case.

Lawyers for the man said they had no difficulty in the matter being given priority.

The High Court provisionally fixed the matter for hearing on March 1st next, and the case is expected to take two days to hear.

It was also agreed between the parties that the State’s opposition to the man’s application will be provided to his legal team within three weeks.

The matter was previously before the courts when the man obtained a temporary injunction in December preventing his deportation from Ireland.

On December 28th last, the State had that injunction set aside by the High Court after claiming the man represented a risk to national security. That discharge decision was then appealed to the Court of Appeal.

Plans to deport the man were put on hold following an intervention by the European Court of Human Rights. It asked the State not to deport him from Ireland until his legal proceedings challenging the planned deportation are concluded.

The man’s lawyers claim the central issue in those proceedings is whether there is an absolute ban under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights restraining removal from the State of a person who fears being tortured until their legal action has been fully determined.

The State argues that exceptions exist which allow it deport the man before his case is heard.

Its assertion that the man is a threat to national security because of his alleged links to Isil was such an exception, it is argued.

As a result of the European Court’s request, it is expected the man will remain in Ireland until his proceedings before the Irish and European courts are dealt with.