Asylum application for suspected terrorist recruiter to be heard at priority hearing

Two linked asylum applications involving a man alleged to be the Islamic State militant group’s “main recruiter” in Ireland will be heard at a priority hearing.

Barrister Sinead McGrath, acting for the State, yesterday sought an accelerated hearing of the case, the Irish Independent reports.

Michael Lynn SC, acting for the man, supported the move.

The case has been provisionally fixed for Tuesday 1 March 2016.

The man is bidding to overturn the decision by Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald to refuse to allow him to re-enter the asylum process after his residency permit was not renewed in March 2015.

The man, who has lived in Ireland for more than 15 years, applied for asylum on his original entry to the country. This was withdrawn when he secured residence on the basis of his Irish-born son.

His son has now been living overseas for a number of years.

The agreement to hold a priority hearing comes as the Court of Appeal is expected to rule on an appeal against the lifting of an injunction preventing his deportation.

A temporary stay on his deportation was ordered by the European Court of Human Rights earlier this month.

It is expected that the man will remain in Ireland until both Irish and European court proceedings are complete.