The Garda has said it "strongly refutes" claims that a Nigerian man seeking asylum in the State was deported "illegally" this morning.
It was claimed the man was deported even though the full appeals process in his case has not yet been exhausted.
Residents Against Racism
A spokesman for the Garda press office told ireland.comthat although it was policy not to discuss individual cases, the Garda wished to "strongly refute" any claims that anyone had been deported illegally from the State. "All deportations follow due process and the normal appeals procedure," the spokesman said.
The group Residents Against Racism claims the man was taken to Cloverhill prison in Dublin yesterday evening after members of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) came to the hostel where he was staying for a "signing-in" session for a number of asylum seekers.
Spokeswoman Rosanna Flynn said when she contacted Cloverhill to speak to the man last night she was told she would have to call him back this morning.
However, she said she learned this morning the man had been taken from the prison at around 5.30am and deported.
Ms Flynn said her group contacted the Refugee Legal Service, which "confirmed that there had not been a refusal on his appeal and they stated that he should be returned".
Frank Brady, director of legal aid with the Legal Aid Board, which is responsible for the Refugee Legal Service, confirmed the claims were being investigated.
But he said there was no confirmation that anyone had been deported illegally from the State.
However, if there had been an unlawful deportation, the body would "have to look at what options are available to the client".
The individual concerned would have to contact the Refugee Legal Service for it to take action, however.
Although she did not have exact details, Ms Flynn said she understood the man was put on a flight to Nigeria. He is understood to be one of a number of Nigerians staying at a Dublin hostel who went on hunger strike some weeks ago.
"We in Residents Against Racism also demand his immediate return and a full and open inquiry," the group said in a statement.
The group condemned comments by the Minister for Justice yesterday in which, it said, he had branded all asylum seekers as "bogus". It said the comments marked "a hardening of racist attitudes within the immigration system".
Ms Flynn said the man deported this morning was well known to her. "He's a very well-educated, intelligent and articulate man. He is the sort of man who would be an asset to any country. He left Nigeria because he was a political activist," she said.
Ms Flynn said she believed the man was due to be married here in the coming weeks. She is now waiting for him to contact her from Nigeria, she added.
It is understood the man has not made contact with the Refugee Legal Service since his application for "leave to remain" in the State was made at the end of April. It is also understood that no final decision has been made on his application.
A spokesman for the Department of Justice said he could not comment on individual cases.