A young Dublin woman whose immigrant Romanian boyfriend was deported two months ago has travelled to Romania to marry him and is urging the authorities to allow him return to Ireland legally.
Ms Belinda Brennan (18) from Summerhill in the north inner city returned to Dublin yesterday after marrying Mr Marian Toader (20) in the Transylvanian town of Sibui more than a week ago. She followed him to Romania shortly after Mr Toader was deported last January.
Ms Brennan, who is more than seven months pregnant, said she hoped her new husband would be allowed return to Ireland for the birth of their baby. Mr Toader had been living and illegally working in Ireland for almost three years. His claim to be allowed remain as a refugee was turned down in July 1999.
Ms Brennan said she hoped their marriage would increase her new husband's chances of legally joining her in Ireland. "I married him to be my husband and to get him back," she said.
Ms Brennan said her husband had been a stabilising influence in her life and helped her overcome drug addiction.
She was recently placed on Dublin Corporation's waiting list for accommodation and said several employers were willing to offer Mr Toader work on building sites.
Ms Brennan has a two-year-old daughter from a previous relationship who is in foster care. She hopes they will be reunited after Mr Toader returns.