Irish Justice Department Under Pressure as Protesters Demand Halt to Nigerian Family’s Deportation
Hundreds of demonstrators on Tuesday gathered outside the Irish Department of Justice in Dublin, calling for the revocation of a deportation order issued against a Nigerian mother and her three children residing in south Dublin.
The protest, which drew schoolchildren, neighbours and community members, comes after Titilayo Oluwakemi Oyekanmi and her sons — Samuel, Joseph and Genesis — were served deportation notices following the rejection of their international protection application and the dismissal of their appeal.
PulseNets learned that Ms Oyekanmi, a Nigerian national, relocated to Ireland from South Africa with her children in late 2023 to seek asylum after she was reportedly assaulted by a gang and threatened at gunpoint.
Documents obtained by PulseNets show that after their asylum claim was declined, the Department of Justice issued a deportation order in April 2025, directing that the family leave Ireland by Thursday.
The development triggered a wave of solidarity in Dublin city, where supporters appealed to authorities to halt the removal, warning that deporting the family would have far-reaching consequences on the local community.
PulseNets gathered that many of the demonstrators submitted written appeals urging the Irish government to overturn the deportation decision.
One protester, Cara McGennis, spoke to PulseNets at the scene, describing the Oyekanmi family as a valued part of the community and urging the government to allow them remain in Ireland.
“We should be giving this family an opportunity to continue to live a good life. They see this country as their home. My son, Charlie, came home to me full of stories about this incredible sportsperson, and he was just in awe of this wonderful boy who is kind and heartfelt and who is brilliant in class.”
She further expressed hope that the Irish Minister for Justice would reconsider the deportation directive.
“These are good people, and they’ve been here for three years. They’ve put down roots in our community, and they have added so much to our community, and we want them to stay. We want to make sure that Joseph, his mum, his brothers, that they feel our support, and we want to make sure that the Minister for Justice knows that this is a family that is an addition to Ireland.”
Another demonstrator, Simon Matthews, told PulseNets that the family had become deeply embedded in the social fabric of the area.
“They have really integrated with the community. They have given a huge amount back. Titi, the children’s mum, is a volunteer in the church. The kids are amazing. People love them and ultimately want them to stay.”
The family’s legal representative, Stephen Kirwan, also spoke to PulseNets, commending the turnout and describing the peaceful protest as significant.
“It is heartening to see young people from across the community, here in Dublin in particular, standing up for a family.”
Kirwan criticised Ireland’s deportation framework, characterising it as “inhumane”, and emphasised the importance of a transparent, rules-based immigration system anchored on fairness and equity.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice maintained that due process was followed in managing international protection applications and safeguarding the integrity of Ireland’s asylum system.
In a statement obtained by PulseNets, the department reiterated:
“People can apply for international protection in Ireland if they have come to escape persecution in their own country or if they cannot return to their country because they have a well-founded fear for their safety.”
Authorities further clarified that the Oyekanmi family’s application had undergone comprehensive review and that all appeal channels had been exhausted.
“Before a deportation order is made, the person is offered assistance to return home voluntarily. This is the preferred option, and the department runs a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to a deportation order issuing.”
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The case has since intensified debate around Ireland’s immigration policy, asylum procedures and deportation enforcement, as campaigners continue to press for ministerial intervention ahead of the family’s scheduled removal.
