A Romanian construction worker who claims he is lawfully resident in Ireland has secured leave from the High Court to bring proceedings seeking a declaration that gardaí exceeded their powers in confiscating his passport and National Immigration Bureau identity card.
Adrian Lucaci and his partner, Kristina Cesnaite, Phibsborough Road, Dublin, told the High Court they had been given no adequate reason why the items were taken.
In an affidavit, Mr Lucaci said he and his partner were told to present themselves at the Garda National Immigration Bureau, where serious allegations of fraud were made against him. Mr Lucaci said he was threatened with deportation because he was not living with his wife and was asked to sign forms consenting to his "voluntary" repatriation.
His solicitors had written to the authorities seeking the return of his documents but no adequate reply had been received.