A campaign has been launched to keep a popular Kurdish family in Cork, after the Garda National Immigration Bureau informed them they are to be deported to Turkey next month.
Hanim Gul and her two sons, aged 13 and 14, have been living in Glounthaune on the outskirts of Cork city for three years. The youngsters are attending local schools and are members of the Leeside Knockraha soccer team.
Last Wednesday the Gul family attended the Garda bureau in Dublin and were taken to the Turkish embassy for identification. A Garda spokesman said it was normal procedure.
Solicitor Colm Stanley said the family are devastated. He said he was appalled his clients were dragged to the embassy considering they are seeking asylum from Turkey.
People in Glounthaune have also launched a campaign to keep the family in Ireland, with the boys' soccer coach appealing to Minister for Justice Michael McDowell to reconsider the case.