A Romanian national whose Somali partner is due to give birth on Christmas Eve secured an 11th-hour reprieve yesterday restraining his deportation.
Mr Iacob Laurentiu, a qualified electrician, with an address at King's Court, Parnell Street, Dublin, was due to present himself for deportation yesterday.
He obtained a stay on the deportation from the High Court after it was argued his child was entitled to the support of both parents.
On November 11th the Department of Justice had directed that Mr Laurentiu, who arrived in Ireland more than three years ago and sought asylum, should be deported.
He was due to present himself at 1.30 p.m. yesterday for deportation. But just 30 minutes before that deadline, Mr Justice O Caoimh granted Mr Laurentiu leave to challenge the order.
The judge also granted leave to seek an order directing the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to grant Mr Laurentiu permission to remain in this State for as long as he owes parental duties to his unborn child.
Mr Gerard Hogan SC, for Mr Laurentiu, said his client and partner intended to apply for permanent resident status here. The couple had been together since shortly after Mr Laurentiu's arrival in Ireland.
Counsel said if the child was safely delivered on Christmas Eve, under the Constitution he or she would become an Irish national, entitled to the support of both parents.