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MORE THAN 5,000 people are currently living in Ireland as asylum seekers, waiting for a decision on whether they will be awarded refugee status.
While their applications are being processed, these asylum seekers – men, women and children – live in so-called direct provision centres either provided or funded by the Government.
Families often live together in one room, while single people share with others. They are not allowed to work – though children can go to school – and adults receive €19.10 a week from the State. Many are left in limbo while the State decides on their future.
To mark World Refugee Day, the Irish Refugee Council has collected first-hand stories from several people in the asylum process. Here are their experiences. (Names have been changed.)
John arrived in Ireland alone from Somalia aged 16. He was granted refugee status in 2010 and is now applying for family reunification.
In 1995, my father was shopping with my sister and they were both shot and killed by the militia. My brother was also shot by the militia when he was 20.
In 2005, we had problems with al-Shabaab. They told me that I had to join them and if I didn’t, they would shoot me. I was 15 years old and very afraid. Soon after, I was injured. I managed to escape and went back home to my mother. She told me: “You can’t stay. If you stay, you’ll be killed.”
My aunt in Canada sent money to help me escape. I travelled to Ethiopia. Some friends of my family there introduced me to someone they said would help to get me to safety. I was given a passport and left Ethiopia.
I arrived in Dublin late at night. I didn’t know anything. I didn’t know what to do. I was on the street and saw a man who I thought might be Ethiopian so I asked him for help. It turned out that he was Somali. He took me to the garda station. I was 16 and a half. This is how I came to Ireland.
First I lived in a hostel and then they sent me to live with a foster family. It was difficult staying with a foster family. They thought I didn’t want to talk but it was because I was so worried. I couldn’t sleep. I thought maybe my family was dead. So I went to school every day and tried to work but my mind was my memory. There was no room for anything else.
Finally, with help from an international Somali radio station, I was able to get in touch with them. They found my mother, brother and sister. Now, at last, I can contact them. I call, I call, I call. I call every two days to my family.
My favourite things about Ireland are the food, the people and the love of sports. It is very good here. People are lovely. People in Ireland have very good lives. They are lucky. In Somalia we can’t watch TV. Here, if you want to watch the hurling, you don’t have to pay – you can just turn on the TV. My teachers are lovely, I have lots of friends. My school is the best. When I came here, I just learned everything. I’m watching all the time RTE2, watching people cooking. I cook every day my own food. In Somalia, we only got two things to eat: rice and pasta, pasta and rice. We don’t have pizza, I just learned about it here and we don’t have takeaway, I learned about that here as well.
Asylum seekers hold up an Irish flag during a protests at Mosney accommodation centre (Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland)
My dream for the future is to work in business or engineering. I only have one more year in school then I have to go to college. I learned to read and write after coming to Ireland because I couldn’t go to school in Somalia. We don’t have free school there so if you can’t pay you can’t go.
Now I am still waiting for the answer for family reunification with my mum and brother. I started the application in 2011 and they tell me it will take two years. They say to me I need DNA tests for them. They are waiting to come to Ireland, then we will be able to enjoy life together. I will be happy then and finally get some rest, then I can study. My hope and my dream is that actually we will be together: me, my brother and my mum.
Peter and his family have been living in a direct provision centre for nine years.
My daughters were quite young when they arrived in Ireland. My oldest daughter who is 21 was 12 when she arrived in Ireland; she has completed primary and secondary school here and is now looking for a way to go to college to study nursing. My second eldest daughter who is 19, was 10 when she arrived here, she is now doing her Leaving Certificate and is hoping to study law next year. My youngest daughter who is 15 arrived in Ireland when she was six years old; she is sitting her Junior Certificate examination this year. My son was born in Ireland in 2006; he’s five and is in senior infants.
It worries me to watch my children growing up so fast, and the stress they have had to grow up in breaks my heart. My son doesn’t understand why we have to live in the hostel and he’s always saying he wants to go to his own big house like all his friends. This is really heartbreaking to watch as a parent because it shows how this situation affects kids. Having a deportation order as well is very hard because my daughters miss out on a lot of school work whenever we go to sign on in Dublin 1. It isn’t fair to do this to children, but I suppose my two eldest daughters are no longer children as their whole childhoods have been taken away from them.
In the accommodation, there are a lot of things that we have to deal with. For instance you are not allowed to invite anyone to come visit you in your room. Why? I don’t know. There’s no crime in having friends over seeing as this can be seen as my house because this is where I live. Children cannot invite their friends to their birthday, communion or confirmation celebrations.
(Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland)
Most of the rooms are damp and they are not insulated well. It usually gets really cold at night especially in the winter and when we ask the manager to turn on the heating they tell us that they are on or they are not working. If you buy heaters yourself, they take them from you. To me it feels like we are being treated like prisoners. Some of the staff do not communicate well with people in the accommodation, if you stand up for yourself, the manager rings RIA and says that you are bringing problems or you are being aggressive.
After a while you get a transfer letter from RIA sending you to live in another area. As a result no one is able to complain because they fear what will happen to them.
It is a bad situation to be in and I’m hoping that its people like you who will hear our cry for help and try do something about it. I would like to thank you for this opportunity to tell my story and for taking the time to read it.
Samantha is 18 and Michaela is 13.
I’m an asylum seeker and I’d like to tell you about my life. I live in a hostel. The rooms are small. If you’re living on the first, second or third floor you’ll be able to hear the people living on top of you. You have to be careful in case someone takes your stuff. You’re not even allowed electric appliances that you need. If you have one and they find it in your room they’ll take it.
In the room there’re cockroaches. The rooms floors are dirty, very dirty. When you want to sleep the people who live on top of you are making lots of noise and you tell them to stop, they say it wasn’t them. But they just lie. If you tell the manager they don’t do anything and don’t solve the issue, which makes it hard for the people to sleep and live in the room.
In the hostel there are two bathrooms on each floor. On my floor there is only one bathroom working. We have three showers, two toilets and four sinks and two men’s toilets. We have to share with 24 families. We share with women and men. It’s for all the people on the first floor.
The toilets are very dirty. So are the showers. Only four taps work out of the eight. The showers are very cold in the afternoon, hot in the morning and warm in the night. The toilets are sometimes blocked.
Adam arrived in the country aged 17 but his age was disputed by authorities and he was treated as an adult. Nevertheless he enrolled in school, where he has been described as a role model for other students. He has been denied refugee status and his future is now uncertain.
My name is Adam. I am sitting my Leaving Certificate at the moment (Biology, Design Communication Graphics, Construction and Art) and I hope to study either nursing or biological engineering after I finish.
Although living in the accommodation centre has its challenges – we don’t have much privacy and it can be noisy and difficult to study so I go to the library – I really enjoy living in Ireland. Before, I didn’t have hope that I would be able to go to school again but now after studying and having the chance to do my Leaving Certificate, it is hard not knowing if I will be able to continue with what I want to do.
It is difficult being so far away from my family, especially my sisters, but I am able to stay in touch with family and friends at home on the internet sometimes. I have good teachers – school is like a family to me because that is the place I spend all my time.
Not knowing what will happen, that is difficult.
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I agree with the sentiment here, but naming a law after a victim is never a good idea.
Absolutely the law in this regard could and probably should be amended, but when it is named after an innocent victim, then anyone who opposes the law will be seen as opposing the victim (Brendan) and being in favour of the offender.
This can lead to a poorly-drafted law being passed because no one wanted to challenge it.
It’s better for laws to be neutral, not try to play on people’s emotions, and they should be fully thought through.
I see what you’re saying and agree.
This is easily one of the best journal comments I’ve ever read. Agree completely. I also think we should be wary of pinning all blame on one thing; most accidents are caused by speeding and poor roads. Drink is a factor in about 1/3 AFAIR, but it’s usually massive amounts over the limit rather than an extra glass or red. Driver fatigue is a much greater risk for example, and there is no law against it…
This happens all the time in America as an emotional argument for bad law. My sympathies to any victims, but it is not appropriate to use their name as a legal argument.
James, thank you for your comment. The idea of naming the campaign has achieved its objective. We wanted a name/theme that would resonate and generate debate much like Megan’s Law and Sarah’s law in other jurisdictions and for hideous offences. We strive to ensure that Brendan’s Law seeks justice, not vengeance for all victims of drunk drivers and we are navigating our way through due process and democracy. If the proposals are flawed they will be challenged. As a communications professional I remain objective and as Christina knows and accepts myself and the team must approach this campaign objectively if anything is to be achieved and not allow emotion to influence our decisions. We do not want bad law. We want a just, fair and pro active bill to go through each and every examination it will face. I hope this clarifies the name theme and thank you once again for your comment. Dr. Nick Flynn.
In the states it would be vehicular manslaughter, here it’s just a traffic violation!
Hello Mike, its actually a summary offence, Cases are dealt with by Administrative Law in other jurisdictions. Here its Common Law. Speaking to non nationals there is a perception (right or wrong) we are soft on I suppose what can best be described in general as “white collar” crime.
That makes complete sense.
This won’t happen. The drink driving legislation in this country is very complex and cases are fought tooth and nail by defendants. The reason being is there have been Judges, Barristers, TD’s, Senators, Gardai charged with same and the loopholes won’t be closed. Plus theres the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
TD’s, Judges, Guards & Senators!?! Where did you pull that little nugget from!?! The reason there are loopholes is because there’s a lucrative market for defence Barristers to find same & save their clients driving licences!! Losing your right to drive & the consequences that follow; ie. job, family, lifestyle is often too much for most & they fight it tooth & nail to keep on the road! Drink Driving legislation is some of the most scrutinised in this country for loopholes!! There’s money to be made in the defending of these charges, loopholes will always be found, closed with amendments, but new ones found!! Nothing to do with drink driving TD’s, Judges & Guards!
Members of all the aforementioned have appeared in court in the last few years for drink driving and they were highly publicised. And you are backing up my point ib relation to the legal loopholes.
Hello, may I say there is anecdotal evidence that suggests those with deeper pockets can afford to hire the very best. I do not mean this as an insult to any legal professional but the safe, sure way to eliminate the huge variance in sentencing is to bring in mandatory sentencing. From our research a very high percentage of killer drivers are appearing before the court for the first time. A defendant is entitled to put forward mitigation arguments but at this point in time discretionary sentencing can a d does result in added stress to an already traumatized family. The criminal who killed Brendan and Lee will serve 18 months for each life. I would not like to be the person to explain the logic behind that sentence to the little girl who will never see her father – Lee’s daughter. Setting aside without prejudice the licence of a charged defendant will not negate the presumption of innocence. In this specific instance it will be a matter for the court to decide the appropriate penalty. Very few cases actually go to trial. An early guilty plea is considered beneficial to the defendant.
James. I absolutely agree with you.
Laws based on emotion don’t work and that is why they should never be considered.
I am not aware of any law based on emotions. Laws are triggered by necessity, fiscal governance and occasionally as a result of a public outcry. The process may result from an emotional response but in the end there are many, many layers to navigate until a law or an amendment is placed on the statute books and the original emotion is long forgotten, as it should be.
It’s called due process. People are entitled to the presumption of innocence. We already have enough draconian drunken driving laws due to successful lobbying by sectional interest groups. It won’t change the behaviour of the tiny minority of drivers who endanger others by driving drunk however, it will be oppressive for the rest of motorists. If we treated other forms of crime (e.g. assault and burglary) in Ireland as seriously as we treat driving offences, we would be living in a fascist state.
I respectfully disagree with your point. The innocent majority of drivers have nothing to fear from well debated good law Barry. Drink driving is a crime. You forfeit your rights when you knowingly break the law and I do not consider this comment to be fascist in nature or content Barry.
Nick, I would respectfully suggest you peruse the provisions of the Road Traffic Acts 1961 to 2011. The legislation already contains a number of statutory presumptions which reverse the burden of proof in the subsequent criminal trial forcing the defendant to effectively prove his innocence. Notwithstanding these right wing provisions, the law reports are littered with examples of Garda incompetence and, occasionally, more sinister behaviour. No democratic criminal justice system should confer upon the Executive arm of government, namely the Gardaí, the potential of falsely imprisoning a citizen without proper due process (i.e. a trial where the prosecution bears the burden of proof, not the defendant). This proposal is an affront to the presumption of innocence and seek to usurp the role of the Courts by imposing a penal sanction, through the deprivation of the use of one’s car, until such time at that person proves his innocence. Are you, as a taxpayer, prepared to fund the cost of the losses associated with the loss of one’s car in circumstances where the prosecution is dismissed?
Nuffsaid, nobody in this country has a right to drive. they are given a licence to drive. it is a privilege not a right. Maybe people need to realise that.
Patsyjoe as a truck driver I disagree. It is a necessity for me. Also agree with the due process comment. Anyone that has not been proven not guilty of a crime should not be punished. You are assuming that the law always get it right. My view is the law doesnt get it right 50% of the time & should be challenged. In particular speed camera vans are not correct most of the time & my research suggests that when these cases are defended properly the cases are thrown out most of the time. This is starting to become the norm in the UK as police forces are abusing their power over motorists. Police abusing power is a worse crime than drink driving & its accuring everwhere.
Michael I appreciate your position on a number of points of law and I agree justice is not always best served. However this campaign seeks to close loopholes where they exist relating to those who willfully turn their cars into lethal weapons once they get behind the wheel under the influence. We are not taking a high moral ground stance on this and no person in authority should abuse the power vested in them. Our campaign seeks justice for the families of the dead, a death that is completely avoidable. God knows accidents will occur but these deaths and the maiming of survivors are preventable providing a fair, balanced law is enacted. Thank you.
Whilst I fully understand the feelings of the poor woman for her loss I am totally opposed to the proposed change she calls for . Indeed I am opposed to even the draconian laws against the enforcement of drink-driving laws such as roadside testing! What I want to see is severe penalties swiftly applied. And in the case of injury or death as a result of any toxic substance found in anyone involved immediate custodial sentences equal to those for murder, driving life ban on release, right of insurance reclaim against any of the perpetrators assets. The law is at the moment a money spinner and in cases like the death of this poor woman’s son too slow to provide resolution both for her and those like her and the perpetrators as well.
And should equally those caught texting while driving, which has been proven to be more dangerous than DUI.
To Brehon Law, what you propose is not possible hence the need for change. To do as you suggest could provoke a Constitutional Rights debate as it would mean the introduction of an Administrative Law system rather than the Common Law we employ. Even in Europe the law is way stricter than here. Immediate confiscation of a car and a subsequent auction is one example. However Inote the Gardai can impound an uninsured vehicle so maybe we are heading the right way.
To Brehon Law, what you propose is not possible hence the need for change. To do as you suggest could provoke a Constitutional Rights debate as it would mean the introduction of an Administrative Law system rather than the Common Law we employ. Even in Europe the law is way stricter than here. Immediate confiscation of a car and a subsequent auction is one example. However I note the Gardai can impound an uninsured vehicle so maybe we are heading the right way.
The basic problem is alcohol, and it’s misuse, and getting it into people’s that alcohol and driving is a no no.
What about setting the alcohol limit for drivers at zero, as they have in some European countries.
Your argument is based on the idea that every human is a rational being. Sadly we aren’t especially while under the influence. That’s why education will not fully solve the problem. Closing ridiculous loopholes in the law like this one and bringing in more than mickey mouse sentences for people who kill others on the road is needed alongside education.
Michael there was talk a few years ago of zero drink limit, and I think it can’t be brought in because of the likes me cough bottles have alcohol in them and other things to
the likes of cough bottles.
pely u won’t then u don’t know and can’t genuinely comment!
Brendan and lee so dearly missed 100% agree with this law should be mandatory…
totally agree with the law ppl know the limit and know they want to anywhere they should abide to the limit if not don’t bother your arse driving get a designated driver and get a taxi home. thinking saves lives until u know someone(which hop
I am very familiar with the R T A and subsequent amendments and though not an expert by any means if I understand you properly you are referring to points of law that transcend the entire legal system, not just the R T A Just today there is a suspect held in custody in connection with a fatal shooting. It appears to be a family member. He will be released on bail, probably on a Section 4 holding charge, pending further serious charges at a later date. Specifically in traffic cases where offences are committed and if serious enough a person is charged pending the trial. I agree there are grey areas where perhaps more thought should have been given but the defendant has the right of appeal to the highest court in Ireland and beyond. Garda incompetence can result in aquittal. However, we are not campaigning for across the board reform. We want one proposed change – i.e. the setting aside of the drivers licence without prejudice once charged. If this is unconstitutional then so be it. The remaining elements of Brendan’s Law are contained within existing legislation apart from the mandatory element. I am delighted to say we now have the offer of assistance from an experienced Barrister, for which we are very grateful. Your point is well made yet the amendments you refer to passed through the Dail without any problems. There are areas that need re-visiting but that is outside the scope of the campaign. We will not pursue anything that is not universally accepted as good and just law.
Thanks to all who posted comment. We genuinely seek two way communication. We are learning as we go on therefore your comments and constructive criticisms are welcome.
have your say