Deportation Case Raises Questions About Fairness in Ireland’s Immigration System

A deportation case involving a mother and her three children living in South Dublin has drawn national attention this week, with community protests, political intervention, and renewed questions about how Ireland’s deportation process handles families who have put down roots in the State.

Stephen Kirwan, partner and head of immigration at KOD Lyons, is representing the Oyekanmi family – Titilayo Oluwakemi Oyekanmi and her three sons, aged five to eighteen – who face removal from Ireland after their asylum application and subsequent appeal were refused.

The family arrived from South Africa in late 2023. Titilayo, who is originally from Nigeria, has said she sought asylum in Ireland after being beaten by a gang and threatened at gunpoint. A deportation order was issued in April 2025. Kirwan applied for the order to be revoked on humanitarian grounds, but the family have not yet received a response – almost a year later.

“This case highlights very clearly, in my view, the fact that the deportation system is inhumane,” Kirwan told The Irish Times. “We do have to have a rules-based system, but we have to have a rules-based system that’s based on fairness and equity.”

The case has gained attention partly because of the family’s strong ties to their community. The eldest son, Samuel, is preparing for his Leaving Cert at Ballinteer Community School. Joseph, aged 14, is attending Gonzaga College on a scholarship. The youngest, Genesis, is five years old. All three attend local schools and sports clubs.

A protest outside the Department of Justice on Tuesday drew dozens of supporters, including students, parents, and teachers from the boys’ schools. Kirwan described the community response as “something like I’ve never seen before.”

The case was raised in the Dáil by Labour leader Ivana Bacik, who asked the Taoiseach to intervene. Micheál Martin said he would ask Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan to review the case. Bacik said this offered “a glimmer” of hope but stressed that time was running out, adding: “There must also be room within that system for humanity.”

The Broader Picture: Deportation and Revocation in Ireland

Under Irish immigration law, when an asylum application is refused and all appeal avenues through the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) have been exhausted, the Minister for Justice may issue a deportation order. Before a deportation order is made, the individual is offered assistance to return home voluntarily.

Where a person’s circumstances have changed since their original application – for example, where children are enrolled in Irish schools, where the family has become part of a local community, or where conditions in the country of origin have deteriorated – they may apply for revocation of the deportation order under Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999.

These revocation applications are assessed on humanitarian grounds, taking into account factors including the length of time spent in Ireland, family and community ties, and the best interests of any children involved. Processing times for revocation applications can vary significantly, and families often face prolonged uncertainty while awaiting a decision.

This is not the first time KOD Lyons has raised concerns about the operation of Ireland’s deportation system. Kirwan has previously spoken publicly about the need for reform, including in media appearances on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne and in coverage by The Journal, where he called for urgent changes to what he described as an “ineffective” deportation system.

KOD Lyons’ Immigration Practice

KOD Lyons’ immigration and international law department acts for individuals and families at every stage of the process – from initial international protection applications and IPAT appeals through to deportation order revocations, judicial review proceedings, and applications for permission to remain.

The team also handles citizenship applications, family reunification, employment permits, and EU free movement cases. Stephen Kirwan is a recognised voice in Irish immigration law and a regular speaker at legal conferences, including the Irish Immigration Lawyers Association’s annual conference.

For confidential legal advice on any immigration matter, contact KOD Lyons’ immigration team.

Source: The Irish Times — South Dublin community urges quashing of deportation order against family (10 February 2026)