Sinn Féin senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh has raised the plight, in the Seanad, of a Galway couple who were separated after a man was deported.
In July Brazilian born Kleber Medeiros was taken from his home by Gardai and remanded in custody. He was then deported on foot of claims made by a member of the public about the validity of his marriage to Ballinasloe native Harriet Bruce. Senator Ó Clochartaigh claims this was a wrongful deportation and is calling on Justice Minister Francis Fitzgerald to act immediately to reverse the deportation.
Speaking in the Seanad Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh said it was alleged by the family that the HSE failed to properly investigate claims against the couple. The family further claim that the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Services sent a recommendation for deportation and had not fully investigated the circumstances of the case.
The Sinn Féin senator says this would indicate that the Department of Justice and the Minister were wrong to deport Kleber Medeiros and that he should be allowed to return to Ballinasloe immediately.
“He, his wife Harriet and their families have been subject to a huge amount of distress and expense as a result of the actions taken on foot of these allegations. This is a very unsatisfactory situation for which the Minister is ultimately responsible. I have called on the Minister to outline how she and her Department will rectify the situation and allow this young couple to be reunited and get on with their married life together in Galway again.”
