Terror links man in bid to appeal deportation at Supreme Court

A MAN with alleged links to Islamic terrorism wants his appeal against the State’s bid to deport him heard by the Supreme Court. The accused is aged in his 50s and has been living in Ireland for several years. He claims if deported to his native country he is at serious risk of ill treatment and torture due to his political views. Earlier this month at the High Court, Mr Justice Richard Humphreys dismissed a challenge against the minister’s decision to deport him. Yesterday morning the judge refused to grant the man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, permission to bring an appeal before the Court of Appeal. The applicant’s lawyer David Leonard said given the seriousness of his client’s claims he will be applying to have his case heard by the Supreme Court on the grounds the appeal raised a point of general public importance. The deportation order was issued after gardai informed the Department of Justice the man’s activities and associates are “of serious concern” and “contrary to the State’s security”. He rejected claims he was involved in terrorism, but during the proceedings the High Court heard he had been convicted of terror-related offences in France and his native country. The man, who has been in Ireland for a number of years, is currently serving a prison sentence for having false travel documents and is due to be released. He claimed his exclusion from the State was unlawful and in breach of both EU law and Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.