Cork school and wider community celebrate: Minister to review asylum application of Cork-based family facing deportation

The justice minister has pledged to review the asylum application of a Cork-based family facing deportation.

The Khan family have been living in direct provision since arriving in Ireland from Saudi Arabia in 2017.

However, they were recently told they were facing deportation to the UK as the UK was the first member state to facilitate their entry to the EU.

Four brothers Hamza, Zubair, Umair, and Mutjuba, along with their sister Shazadi and parents Mubeen and Hina Mubeen, were told they had to travel to Dublin today as part of the process.

However, that has now been avoided after intervention from Tánaiste Simon Coveney as well as Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire.

A statement from University College Cork, Coláiste Éamann Rís, and the Edmund Rice Trust thanked the trio for intervening in the case.

“Following a phone conversation this evening with Tánaiste Simon Coveney TD, we are delighted to announce that the Khan family will not be transferred to the UK tomorrow” Coláiste Éamann Rís principal Aaron Wolfe said.

He thanked the three Cork TDs for their support, adding: “We would also like to thank the many other people and agencies who worked so tirelessly behind the scenes.

“Thank you to the staff of Coláiste Éamann Rís, to UCC and to the Edmund Rice Schools Trust and particular thanks to Ms Edel Farrell who was a constant support to the Khan family over the past week. Our school community has been overwhelmed by the support and kindness shown to us and the Khans at this very difficult time.

“This event has brought our school community closer together — to see lines of our students queuing to sign our petition to keep the Khans embodies all that is special and unique about our wonderful school. I am so proud of our students for demonstrating such kindness and compassion for their fellow students,” said Mr Wolfe.

The school has cancelled it's planned protest for today and Mr Wolfe said they will instead celebrate the Minister's decision to review the case.