In 1999 Alan Shatter criticised the Department of Justice for it’s ‘disgraceful reputation’ in dealing with refugees and demanded a right to work for asylum seekers. Now he sings a very different tune. Aisling Twomey asks will the real Alan Shatter please stand up? During the passage of the Immigration Act of 1999, questions arose as to the possibility of asylum seekers gaining employment. The Bill was rushed through the … Read More
Israeli seeks asylum in Palestine
A breaking story as yet unreported in the western press, is that of a 23yr old Israeli seeking asylum in the Palestinian Authority area of the West Bank. Andre Beniron told Ma’an News Agency in the West Bank town of Tulkarem that he came to Israel with his mother aged 3 and lives in Haifa. He has been struggling to survive financially in Israel and described his life as difficult. He … Read More
Gimme Shelter: An Interview With An Asylum Seeker
Sitting in an armchair by the window of the Outhouse library, Capel Street, Patrick is sharing his story of seeking asylum in Ireland with Peg Leeson. Well-spoken and confident there are moments during the conversation when he looks down and fidgets with his fingers or hugs his knees, subtle indicators that his journey was not an easy one.