A Tajik family living in Co Wexford, who faced the threat of deportation for the past three years, have been granted the right to stay in the country for another 12 months.
Mr Pavel and Ms Mila Kilesnikloa, originally from Tajikistan, live in Clonard, Co Wexford, with their children, Rustan (15), Angela (7) and Eddi (4).
All the family are now being allowed to stay here until August of next year when their case will again be reviewed by the Department of Justice.
In November 2001, the then Minister for Justice, Mr John O'Donoghue, issued a deportation order and preliminary arrangements began to be made for their removal from the country.
The family originally arrived in Wexford in 1999 having fled Tajikistan because of the socio-political turmoil there.
The deportation order against them was appealed and the family was supported in its efforts by the then Bishop of Ferns, Dr Brendan Comiskey, as well as local politicians and community leaders.
Mr Kilesnikloa, who is employed as a gym instructor in a leisure centre, has received a letter from the Department of Justice's Immigration Unit informing him his appeal against deportation on humanitarian grounds has been granted, with officials taking the view that his family's case is "exceptional".
The Kilesnikloas are optimistic that they may be allowed to stay permanently in Ireland.
Foreign nationals may apply for citizenship after five years in the State. "We have been under stress all the time, waiting to hear what would happen, but we are so happy now," Mr Kilesnikloa said.
"We will be four and a half years in Wexford by the time this extension runs out and after five years, you can become a citizen."