Jailed doctor in court to seek release

A Nigerian doctor who has been held in Mountjoy Prison in Dublin for a week will apply to the High Court tomorrow to be released…

A Nigerian doctor who has been held in Mountjoy Prison in Dublin for a week will apply to the High Court tomorrow to be released.

Dr Grant Oyeye (35) was detained on arrival at Dublin Airport last Tuesday by immigration officials and has been held in the basement of Mountjoy Prison.

He had enrolled for a course in tropical medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons, due to begin next month.

During a brief High Court hearing yesterday, counsel for Dr Oyeye, Mr David O'Neill, said his client was very disturbed and distressed by the conditions in the prison.

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Ms Emily Farrell, representing the governor of Mountjoy, said they intended to transfer Dr Oyeye to the training unit when the next space there became available. This was likely by today at the latest, she said.

Mr Justice Kelly adjourned the case until tomorrow afternoon to allow Dr Oyeye's lawyers time to prepare an affidavit. Dr Oyeye will also make an application for bail tomorrow.

Mr O'Neill told the court his client would bring judicial review proceedings against the authorities for refusing him "leave to land".

Dr Oyeye stood towards the rear of the court during the five-minute hearing, flanked by two prison officers.