Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan is the only person who can stop the deportation of six-year-old autistic boy Great Agbonglahor, a campaigner declared today.
Rosanna Flynn of Residents Against Racism carrying a photograph of Great Agbonlahor. Photograph: Paul Anderson
Rosanna Flynn of Residents Against Racism said Italian-born Great - who is due for deportation to the birthplace of his parents, Nigeria - said he has exhausted all legal and procedural avenues.
His fate is now in the hands of Mr Lenihan who has the power to grant Great a right to stay in Ireland on compassionate grounds, Ms Flynn said at a demonstration outside the Department of Justice in Dublin.
"The Minister is able to change his mind right up until the place takes off," Ms Flynn said.
Great has lived in Ireland with his twin sister, Melissa, and mother, Olivia, for four years. They fled Italy because of alleged death threats issued against the children's father, Martins Agbonlahor, who is an author.
It is claimed he spoke out against elements within the Nigerian expatriate community whom he alleged were engaged in drug trafficking.
Ms Agboblagor and her twin children lived at a centre for asylum seekers in Clonakilty, Co Cork since March 2002 before recently moving to a hostel in Tralee, Co Kerry.
They have received considerable local and political in both communities and supporters are hoping to meet with Mr Lenihan in the next few days.
The family are to due to sign at the Garda National Immigration Bureau on the 19 thof this month and could be ordered to leave the country immediately.
The decision not to allow the family a right to stay in Ireland on compassionate grounds was made by previous minister for justice Michael McDowell, and Mr Lenihan maintains there is no basis for changing that finding.
Last week the family withdrew their High Court challenge to Mr McDowell's decision. They had hoped to mount a challenge on the basis that Great's diagnosis as autistic had not been established when Mr McDowell reviewed the case.
Ms Flynn handed a letter into his offices today which said: "Great's condition is viewed as voodoo in Nigeria and the child would be very isolated. . . . The fate of the family lies entirely at your mercy."
Sinn Féin councillor Daithí Doolan attended today's demonstration. He said: "Deporting an autistic child to an underdeveloped country where superstition is still very much part of the culture is a deplorable act of cruelty by the State."