Minister for Justice Michael McDowell has put a stay on the deportation of a woman to Nigeria after pressure from campaigners.
Olivia Agbonlahor has been living in Clonakilty, Co Cork with her four-year-old twins Melissa and Great. Great is suspected of being autistic and is awaiting medical assessment.
In a statement, Mr McDowell said he had directed that Ms Agbonlahor be released and had arranged for a stay to be put on her deportation order "pending further consideration of the case".
Ms Agbonlahor claims she left Nigeria because of threats from drug gangs after her husband, who is a journalist, wrote stories about them. They fled to Italy and then Ms Agbonlahor brought her children to Ireland. Her husband remains in Italy.
She has have lived in Clonakilty Lodge asylum seeker reception centre since March 2003.
