A family of failed asylum-seekers from Kosovo who have been evading deportation for more than a month have failed in their bid to have their case for refugee status reconsidered.
Lawyers for the two young children and their widow mother who are in hiding in Dublin are now planning to take their case to the High Court.
The Sylaj family's legal team yesterday received a negative response from the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, to their request for him to allow a re-examination of their case to remain in Ireland as refugees.
The family wanted their refugee claim to be analysed in light of newly-disclosed evidence of persecution. To be granted permission to live in Ireland permanently as a refugee, applicants must show that they are fleeing persecution.
Ms Florinda Sylaj (36), a Catholic, claims she was "subjected to a sustained and savage campaign of mistreatment, including regular beatings and violence against her" by her late Muslim husband's family, which left her with scars.
She claims that she and her two young daughters, Eni (5) and Eda (4), were effectively imprisoned by her in-laws, but that she was not able to disclose this information while her refugee claim was being processed.
Following yesterday's letter rejecting their application to have their case reopened, the family's legal team says it will go to the High Court this week to start judicial review proceedings.
The family had received strong support from friends and pupils at Castleknock Educate Together School where Eni and Eda were studying.
This followed an attempt last month by immigration gardaí to execute a deportation order against the Sylajs. Ms Sylaj and her children have been in Ireland for almost three years.