Woman 'fears for her life' if deported to S Africa
A WHITE South African has claimed her life may be at risk due to racial discrimination if she is deported from Ireland.
Dianne Louise Jefferson (22), who works with Boston Scientific in Galway, yesterday launched a legal bid at Dublin's High Court to remain in the State.
Judge Elizabeth Dunne granted an interim injunction preventing the state immigration services from arresting, detaining or transferring Ms Jefferson, who lives in Doughiska, Co Galway.
"I say and believe that as a white South African there is a real possibility of criminal racial discrimination against me and I fear for my well-being and ultimately my life if I am returned," the court heard directly from Ms Jefferson's affidavit.
She left South Africa on June 1, 2002, following the death of her grandmother and moved to Ireland to be with her father.
Refused
During her seven years living in Ireland, Ms Jefferson completed her Junior and Leaving Certificate, studied at college, married and took up a job as a product builder with Boston Scientific in 2006.
On September 16 last, Ms Jefferson was notified by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service that her application for a resident's card was refused. She was informed her permission would expire on September 20 and after that date she would be an illegal resident. She says she was advised to "go home".
The court heard she has instructed her solicitor to apply for Irish citizenship on the basis of her marriage. In 2005, at the age of 18 she married Kevin Curran.The court heard Mr Curran was forced to move to the Netherlands in search of a full-time job but regularly returns to spend time with his wife.
- Louise Hogan
