Anti racism protesters held a demonstration at the Garda Immigration Bureau in Dublin this afternoon. The protesters were demonstrating against a planned mass deportation they feared was about to take place.
Rosanna Flynn, Residents Against Racism
A number of Nigerian families had been told to report to the Bureau today and about two dozen protesters including members of the Nigerian community gathered to highlight their case.
A spokesperson for Residents Against Racism, Rosanna Flynn, said: "Michael McDowell, ignoring the widespread condemnation of his policies, is preparing for another mass deportation."
She asked: "If the process is so humane why is it also so secretive?"
She said "Many of the people deported had not exhausted all the legal avenues that were available to them. Also there were children separated from their mothers after the last deportation. These children still remain parentless in Ireland. Many of those deported remain hiding in Nigeria fearing for their lives."
Two members of the Nigerian community at the protest told ireland.comthat Nigeria was not a safe country. They said they were protesting for the reunification of families which have been broken up and dispersed around Ireland.