A Nigerian doctor who had been detained in Mountjoy prison for nine days was freed yesterday after he withdrew his High Court challenge to the legality of his detention.
Earlier, during an adjournment of Dr Grant Oyeye's legal proceedings before Mr Justice Kelly, settlement terms were agreed between lawyers for Dr Oyeye and the State authorities. The doctor had been detained on his arrival from Lagos at Dublin Airport on June 12th.
Under the settlement, Dr Oyeye (32) has withdrawn his High Court proceeding and is permitted to remain here until two weeks after a two-month course in tropical medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin, for which he had enrolled some time ago and which was stated to be his reason for coming here.
Mr Peter Finlay SC, for Dr Oyeye, told the judge Dr Oyeye was to be released immediately. He was to give his passport to the gardai while he was here and to undertake not to leave the State. There would be no other proceedings.
"Hopefully, this is the end of the matter," counsel said.
Mr Frank Callanan SC, for the State, said his side was prepared to give Dr Oyeye "leave to land", subject to the terms.
Mr Justice Kelly rejected an application by Mr Finlay for the case to be dealt with under "the Attorney General's scheme" whereby the State would pay Dr Oyeye's legal costs. The judge said the scheme was to assist impecunious persons to bring applications - this applicant was a qualified doctor with a job in Nigeria.
In the High Court on Wednesday an immigration official said he believed Dr Oyeye had insufficient funds to support himself and was entering the State so as to enter the UK illegally.
Lawyers for Dr Oyeye argued he had obtained a visa from the Irish Embassy in Lagos on May 31st, permitting him to enter and stay here until August 31st to study. He had £2,830 sterling and $300 on his arrival at Dublin.
In evidence yesterday, Dr Oyeye said he had sufficient funds. He intended to stay in a guest house at £30 a night for two nights and then in a dormitory for £11 a night. He did not drink or smoke. His accommodation would be near to where he was going to study and he would not spend a lot of money on transport.