NINE Liberian refugees seeking asylum in Ireland have been allowed to enter the State while their application for asylum is considered.
They have been held on board the Croatian cargo ship, the Buga, in Waterford for nine days. They had already spent seven weeks at sea.
The Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, yesterday allowed the nine to come ashore. A spokeswoman for the Department said the Minister had agreed to allow them entry - on the basis that they had applied for asylum.
A Garda spokesman said they had no destination in mind when they stowed away. They just wanted to get out of Liberia.
More than 150,000 people have been killed in the six-year Liberian civil war and about 50,000 have fled the country since 1989.
Last year a peace deal was agreed between the warring factions.
One of the refugees is said to have seen his mother and sister shot in front of him.
The Rev John Rochford, a Baptist minister who has been visiting the stowaways regularly, said they were all in good spirits. "The captain and crew have been very good to them. Their kindness and Christian generosity to these people have been overwhelming."
He said the Department of Justice would interview them about their difficulties and their situation in their country.
"I cannot say from there on what will happen to them. I am sure they will be here for some time with us."
The Buga called at Turkey and Greece and was carrying more than 30,000 tonnes of powder cement when it docked at Bellview harbour, outside Waterford, over a week ago. On arrival, gardai interviewed the stowaways who stressed they were afraid to return to Liberia.