THE CATHOLIC bishops have called for alternative locations other than prisons for the custody of suspected illegal immigrants who arrive in Ireland.
In their autumn statement, the bishops alluded to the recent detention of a Nigerian priest who was arrested at Dublin airport, strip-searched and detained at Cloverhill Prison on suspicion that he was trying to enter the country illegally.
Fr John Achebe (33) was only released following the intervention of the Nigerian ambassador.
"Recent cases, highlighted by media reports, emphasise yet again the urgent need for alternative holding locations and reform of procedures that afford appropriate privacy and dignity to those detained by the immigration service," the bishops said.
The Catholic Church is believed to be extremely concerned about the treatment of Fr Achebe and how it reflects on the manner in which other suspected illegal immigrants are treated.
A hierarchy source said the bishops felt the decision reflected a lack of rationality.
It showed a lack of respect for visitors and they were also baffled as to why no apology was made to Fr Achebe, whose initial "refusal to land" stamp was cancelled "without prejudice" by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
Separately, an Indian tourist complained of harassment and racial discrimination at Dublin airport having won a trip to Ireland at an event sponsored by Tourism Ireland in Mumbai.
However, the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner both defended the GNIB against arguments that it is being racist and heavy-handed against those it suspects of entering Ireland illegally.
The Minister for Justice and Law Reform, Dermot Ahern, said "on occasions mistakes will be made" but the GNIB is doing a "very difficult job".
"This country has been inundated with bogus applicants using every trick in the book to try and get around our immigration laws," he said.
Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy said the GNIB is led by a chief superintendent and has considerable resources available to it. Its officers have to abide by the legislation governing immigration issues, he stressed.
He denied suggestions that the treatment of some immigrants amounted to racism.
