A Nigerian asylum-seeker is in prison awaiting deportation after being arrested half an hour before he was to be married.
Mr Joseph Chuhwunike Ndibe (34) was arrested by officers from the National Garda Immigration Bureau when he arrived at the Register Office in Limerick last Friday.
He was due to marry a local woman, Ms Eileen Hayes from O'Malley Park, in a ceremony at 1 p.m. when he was presented with a deportation order and taken into custody.
Gardaí confirmed last night that he was being held at Mountjoy Prison while arrangements were made to deport him.
It is understood Mr Ndibe lived in Ireland for almost four years and that his application for asylum was rejected some time last year.
In response to claims that Mr Ndibe did not receive notice of his deportation, gardaí in Limerick said letters were sent to his registered address, but it is believed he had moved to another residence without notifying the authorities.
According to the Limerick Leader, Mr Ndibe did voluntary work in a local Augustinian church.
Pastoral co-ordinator Mr Joe McGlynn told the paper he feared what might happen to him when he was sent back to Nigeria.
"He was very respectful and a very kind fellow," Mr McGlynn said.
It is the second time this year that an unsuccessful asylum-seeker has been arrested by immigration officers as he was preparing to take his wedding vows.
In January, Mr Femi Adesoji (28), also from Nigeria, was arrested on his way into Carlow register office.
He planned to marry an 18-year-old hairdresser, Ms Laura Behan, from Kilcullen, Co Kildare.
He was detained in Mountjoy Prison while his deportation order was challenged through the High Court. However, he lost his case and was deported.
The chief executive of the Irish Refugee Council, Mr Peter O'Mahony, said he was concerned that the arrests were carried out in an "insensitive" manner. Deportations must preserve the dignity of all concerned.