22^nd May 2003

PRESS RELEASE

GREENS CALL ON MCDOWELL TO RECONSIDER ROMA FAMILY’S DEPORTATION

Green Party Justice spokesperson, Ciarán Cuffe TD, today made a last minute appeal to prevent the deportation of a Roma family that are neighbours of the Minister for Justice.  The Bobowicz couple from Poland have lived in Ireland with their four and a half year old daughter for the past three years.

“It is hypocritical of us to promote anti-racism programmes in Ireland and then in the next breath force a family to return to Poland.  The family were threatened with racist attacks in Poland because they were from the Roma Community.”

“Sylvia Bobowicz is currently suffering from depression and is being treated in Baggot Street Hospital.  To deport her now could have a detrimental effect on her health.”

“I have called upon the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to reconsider this case considering that in thirteen months time this family will be legally entitled to reside in Ireland as by then Poland will be a member of the EU,” concluded Deputy Cuffe.

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