A man who denies claims by the State of links with Islamic terrorists had a son detained and held without charge for almost three months in Jordan, the High Court has heard.
The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, is resisting his intended deportation from Ireland, where he has lived since 2000, to Jordan.
He denies the State’s claims he has consulted with senior violent extremist leaders outside Ireland, made travel arrangements for and is involved in recruiting members for extremist group Islamic State (Isis), or represents a threat to national security.
He has brought a number of proceedings including a challenge to the Minister for Justice’s decision to deport him to Jordan.
On the second day of the hearing, Mr Justice Richard Humphreys was told the man’s fear of torture if deported to Jordan has been heightened as a result of the recent detention of one of his sons by the Jordanian authorities.
In documents to the court, the man said one of his sons disappeared last November after he was due to travel to Turkey to study. The Red Cross was contacted about the disappearance and made inquiries.
The man and his family were told his son was being detained at the General Detention Centre, the man said. No reasons were given to the Red Cross why his son was detained, he said.
The man said he himself was previously held and tortured at the same centre.
His son was released in recent days, the court was told.
Killed fighting Assad
The court was also told a close relative of the man was killed fighting the Assad regime in Syria. Before his death, that relative was arrested and interrogated by the Jordanian authorities due to being related to the man, it was stated.
These arrests and detentions heightened the man’s fears he may be subjected to torture if deported to Jordan, the court heard.
The man has been living in Ireland since 2000 on the basis of having an Irish citizen child.
Last year, the authorities decided not to renew his residency permit because that child was residing with his mother outside the State.
After the man was informed the State wanted to deport him to Jordan, he opposed it, claiming he was tortured over a period of several years in Jordan due to his political activities prior to his arrival here.
The treatment he received in Jordan has resulted in continuing health problems, he claims.
Following the State’s decision not to renew his residency, the man applied for asylum and claims the Minister for Justice has unlawfully refused to make a decision on his application.
He claims the Minister has failed to take into account relevant considerations, including medical evidence and future risk of torture.
In his proceedings, he wants orders preventing his deportation and compelling the Minister to accept his application for asylum.
He also wants a declaration he does not need the Minister’s consent to apply under the 1996 Refugee Act for refugee status.
The Minister opposes the application on grounds including alleged abuse of process.
Remy Farrell SC, for the State, told the judge there is some urgency to the case due to the State’s security concerns about the man and his alleged involvement with Isis.
The action continues.