Postcards From Direct Provision

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From top: A card artist and former asylum seeker Vukasin Nedeljkovic received while he was living in Ireland’s direct provision system, following the death of his mother in Belgrade; the word ‘Lonely’ which Vukasin wrote using blood from his finger in his room at the Old Convent Centre in Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, in 2008; a basketball hoop at the centre; and the view from his room, also in 2008

Vukasin Nedeljkovic is a 40-year-old Serbian artist based in Dublin.

As a teenager, Vukasin protested against the policies of former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milošević, who died in 2006 in his prison cell while on trial for genocide in The Hague.

In 2007, Vukasin visited Ireland and – after he had criticised Serbia’s then information minister Alexsandar Vucic who is now the Prime Minister of Serbia – he was advised not to return home.

He sought refugee protection in Ireland and was eventually granted ‘leave to remain’.

Vukasin lived within the direct provision system for three years, living in centres in Dublin; New Ross, Co Wexford; Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo; and Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon.

His mother died back home in Belgrade, while he was in the Direct Provision system.

Vukasin is now married, has a family and is doing a PhD at the Dublin Institute of Technology.

He started Asylum Archive, about which, he explains:

Asylum Archive originally started as a coping mechanism while I was in the process of seeking an asylum in Ireland; it is directly concerned with the reality and trauma of life for asylum seekers. Asylum Archive’s objective is to collaborate with asylum seekers, artists, academics, civil society activists, amongst others, with a view to create an interactive documentary cross-platform online resource, which critically foregrounding accounts of exile, displacement, trauma and memory.”

Further to this, he draws from his time in direct provision and writes:

We were brought into a mini bus to one of the direct provision reception centres. The journey seemed long; we could see from the window the streets and people of Dublin.

The long motorway took us to one of the suburbs on the south side of the city. We didn’t talk on the bus; we looked at each other with agitation and worry.

We collect our weekly payments of 19.10 euros. That is our weekly allowance. We are prohibited from work or study.

The medical screening, for transmittable diseases, took place on the top floor of the centre in a room that looked on to the garden. We were tested for HIV and Hepatitis amongst others.

I am sitting under the huge pine tree. The tree is almost covering the outdoor part of the centre. The branches of the tree are moving gently with the wind. I can see some dead branches.

The centre is located on the top of the hill. The sun is coming through the branches of a pine tree. It is a spring in the centre.

The next morning a woman, followed by two security officers, arrives in Kilmacud Centre. She goes through her papers and calls out some reference numbers; each of us has a reference number that starts with number 69.

People start to congregate near the reception forming certain groups. We hear that we will be transferred. There is no explanation.

We take our belongings and enter the bus. We leave our friends behind, without even saying goodbye. We don’t know where we are going.

We look through the window. It’s a long journey. We see the rivers, the grass fields and the blue sky of Irish landscape.

‘Rhythm of the wheels, stronger than hunger or tiredness; until, at a certain moment, the train would stop and I would feel the warm air and the smell of hay and I would get out into the sun; then I would lie down on the ground to kiss the earth, as you read in books, with my face in the grass. And a woman would pass, and she would ask me “Who are you?” in Italian, and I would tell her my story in Italian, and she would understand, and she would give me food and shelter. She would not believe the things I tell her, and I would show her the number on my arm, and then she would believe.’ (If This Is A Man, Primo Levi, 1947: 47).

I see the main building of the new centre. The CCTV camera is attached to the main building; it looks towards the gate.

I receive a postcard covered with the butterflies; the yellow butterflies with the white dots, the purple butterflies with the white dots, the green butterflies with the green dots and the blue butterflies.

On the card it says:

‘Dear Vukie, I was so sorry to hear about your mother. I can’t imagine how you must be feeling. Thinking of you and sending you hugs. Take care in there. Hope to see you soon’.

I look at the postcard. I hold the postcard. The tears roll over my cheeks on to the postcard.

My window is divided in half. There are yellow marks at the both sides of the window.

The mark on the left side of the window is bigger and wider then the mark on the right side of the window. There are fields in a distance. They seem too far away. I can’t see the greenness of the fields.

It rains almost every day. The fields are becoming greener every minute. I want to see the fields with my tired, sleepless eyes.

I am afraid to leave the room 24.

I am not able to smell the fields. It is just round a corner.

There are walls and barriers on the way.

I bite my nails; the drops of blood roll over my finger. I look at my hand; in my room, on the piece of paper, I write down ‘lost’ using the same blood.

On a different piece of paper I also write ‘lonely’.

The sun is coming through the dirt of my window. I see the children playing outside.

I smell the chicken nuggets and chips.

It is dinner time soon.

Asylum Archive

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112 thoughts on “Postcards From Direct Provision

  1. ollie

    Better than living in a tent in a Jordanian desert.
    As for the right to work, why would this be granted? People come to Ireland to escape persecution, we house them, feed them and eventually let them stay here. The only issue I have is that it took 3 years to process Vukasin’s application, it should have been done and dusted in 3 months.

    1. Bobby

      Yeah your argument that there are worse places in the world is deflated and pathetic. Empathy my friend, try it. ‘We’ don’t pay for them, the Irish State does, those institutions aren’t us. That could be changed pretty quickly anyway. Why would a government legislate for those seeking refuge a right to work you ask? So firstly there is an opportunity for those who have the skill sets to be free to utilise them. This also means that people will be able to work, pay taxes and pay their own way generally. These people – who I’ll remind you are real living human beings – will also be able to live a life, work, move around, buy food and cook it. Did you know that you’re not even allowed to cook your own food in the Direct Provision system? They might even be able to live somewhere that less resembles an minimum security prison.

      Go meet someone who lives in DP and see how utterly depressing it is. To imagine there are humans living in any kind of desperation, be it in an abusive relationship, living in poverty, being homeless etc and that there are people, not only doing nothing at all about anything, but coming up with responses like yours is becoming so alien to me.

      You’re mad sound..

      Your comment is a heart breaking as the post itself,

      1. dan

        Get stuffed Bobby you sanctimonious git.
        I’ve worked in direct provision centres and am fully aware of the conditions.
        Before you get off your perch tell me this; where exactly would you house asylum seekers? Use one of the many empty properties we have? Where would they work? Driving one of the many extra taxies we need?
        No-one said DP is perfect but it’s a hell of a lot better than it could be, and a hell of a lot worse than it could be.

        1. luke

          your veiled racism and casual excuses for abuse are disgusting. I believe you’ve worked in direct provision. your part of what keeps the trauma going.

        2. Nice Anne {Dammit}

          Well Dan, you have completely convinced me.

          Hey, I have a great idea, could we set them up working in laundries and sell their babies?

          That worked so well last time. We are already dehumanising them in the DP system by assigning them numbers and shipping them around like animals – why stop there? Let’s go full Nun on their asylum seeking asses.

          Sure, we spoil them as it is.

      2. Eilis Dillon

        “Your comment is as heart breaking as the post itself” I agree 100% Cruel, heartless and racist.

  2. Bobby

    Powerful stuff.

    Sadly institutionalised and restricted living is very much alive and well in dear auld romantic Éire.

  3. Rob_G

    I’m well-aware that Direct Provision isn’t much fun, but I have to say that the self-pitying tone of this piece is nauseating – comparing his plight to that of someone who survived the Nazi extermination camps when the worst indignities that he had to suffer was a stained window and some rain.

    1. Owen C

      Also, is Serbia still considered some lawless badland these days? Its currently in negotiations to join the EU.

      1. Dόn 'The Unstoppable Force' Pídgéόní

        He isn’t claiming asylum now is he? And Bosnia-H still has on-going race related problems today.

        1. Owen C

          “He sought refugee protection in Ireland and was eventually granted ‘leave to remain’.”

          Is there a difference between “refugee protection” and “asylum”? Serious question. Also, he’s from Serbia, not Bosnia.

          1. Dόn 'The Unstoppable Force' Pídgéόní

            You should probably go and read up on both refugee status in Ireland and actually happened during that war

          2. ahjayzis

            Your vague, loaded questions and pondering aloud definitely sounds like you’ve fully investigated his case and the wider context there, Owen. You know best. Dem forinners are all malingerers inanywayz xxx

          3. Owen C

            Brilliant. Someone else has investigated it and understands the wider context. Can you explain it to me?

          4. ahjayzis

            I wasn’t present at the hearing.

            You’re not owed an explanation. You have no standing, it doesn’t concern you in any way.

            Any more than I’m owed an explanation of the decision of any court in which I’m not a participant.

            You’re the one baselessly quibbling with with a judicial decision and impugning the applicant and the integrity of the system with nothing more than your intuition and no knowledge of the circumstances.

            The burden of proof is totally and completely on YOU.

    2. Bobby

      ‘worst indignities that he had to suffer was a stained window and some rain’

      So you’re not well aware of what DP is actually like at all then.

      1. Rob_G

        I have no doubt that it’s unpleasant, and at times degrading; I just think that the author, by attempting to draw analogy between living in some crummy hostel and being sent to Auschwitz, is being unbelievably flip about the Holocaust, while at the same time being a dreadful ‘artist’.

    3. M.N.

      It is quite appalling that you would use Nazi extermination camps as your reference point when deciding how serious someone’s plight is.

  4. ahyeah

    Despite all the anger and shame that we have over the laundries and other institutions, we’re allowing the very same thing happen all over again right now. Doesn’t say much about us as a country, society or people.

  5. fluffybiscuits

    Viewing his problems through your own lens is the problem, most of us come from a priveleged background where we do not have to worry about publicly criticisng our ministers. The man moved from Serbia to Ireland as he was afraid for his life because he does not enjoy the same priveleges that we happen to enjoy. Criticising the tone of the article completely misses the point of what he was saying, he was sent to the equivelant of a camp where he was stripped of his dignity, again something that we all take for granted – how many of us are asked for a test for contragious disease or given just €19.10 a week to live on? All that is negated because we are Irish citizens. Lastly give the man kudos, he opened up about losing his mother and came here and married and is studying. Many of you on this site have an existence which means you do not have to deal with these people or talk to them, you have your own little coccoon of humanity. The Celtic Tiger cubs with that sense of entitlement and the ‘Im ok Jack fúçk you syndrome’

    1. Owen C

      Fluffy, we live in a world of limited resources. There is a reasonable question as to whether these limited resources designed to support genuine political asylum/refugees should be expended on someone who is coming from a nation which is half way through its ascension negotiations with the EU.

        1. Owen C

          Bobby, on what grounds was this man afforded refugee protection? I assume it was on something more complex than “worried for his safety” and i would assume there would be some backing evidence to justify his concerns (ie my point is that Serbia does not necessarily register with me as a dangerous country to live in from a political perspective).

          1. MoyestWithExcitement

            So you’re implying this man shouldn’t have refugee status while also admitting you don’t know why he fit refugee status? Genius.

          2. Owen C

            The post above says very little on the reasons for his refugee protection actually. It simply says “he was advised not to return home”.

          3. Owen C

            Where did i imply he shouldn’t have refugee status? Your reading skills require further work, as always. I questioned why he has refugee status, that is all.

          4. MoyestWithExcitement

            But the point is you don’t know what those reasons are yet you’ll make judgements anyway. Standard.

          5. MoyestWithExcitement

            Why are you questioning his status? What information do you have to be question it? Is it none? It’s none isn’t it. Also ‘I’m just questioning his status’; http://explosm.net/comics/3668/

            That dishonest tactic you’re using is so transparent people actually make jokes about it.

          6. Owen C

            If someone came to Ireland seeking refugee protection from the UK, we would all wonder why on earth it was required. I am extending this argument to Serbia. It is a country that has undergone significant ethnic and political issues over the last 30 years, but not one that i would consider politically dangerous any more given its so-far-successful attempt to join the EU. That is why i ask on what grounds refugee protection was given. I know this is a serious conversation well beyond your snark-ridden understanding of the world, but perhaps you could ssshhh down a bit for today’s proceedings. Please and thanks.

          7. MoyestWithExcitement

            Oh *you* don’t consider Serbia to be dangerous? Well that’s that then. We should all be suspicious of this guy’s refugee status because *you* don’t consider Serbia to be dangerous. Yes, sound reasoning there. Very insightful. Please, continue.

          8. Owen C

            You DO consider Serbia to be dangerous from a political perspective? Explain. I don’t automatically assume any country to be dangerous in this way. I like to see evidence of this first. I assume you have this evidence? Please share.

            Here’s the UK foreign office advice on Serbia. Doesn’t exactly fill me with terror.

            https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/serbia

            “Protests can take place in Belgrade and other major towns/cities, particularly over issues like LGBT rights, the independence of Kosovo, public sector cuts, etc. Most protests remain peaceful, but they can sometimes turn violent, especially where there is a potential for far-right infiltration or hooliganism. Keep up to date with local developments and avoid any large crowds and demonstrations.”

          9. MoyestWithExcitement

            Dig dig dig. I bet the only reason you “don’t consider” Serbia to be dangerous is because you’ve not seen anything about the place on the news. I mean, that link. Jesus. OK, so this guy had no legit reason to flee Serbia because the British government’s travel advice about the place doesn’t sound too scary. Would you listen to yourself?

          10. Owen C

            It seems you have a belief Serbia is a politically dangerous country. You are unable or unwilling to back this up with any evidence. Like zero. You just “know” it. Gotcha. Don’t eat the crayons, ok?

          11. ahjayzis

            ASTOUNDINGLY poltiical oppression, police torture, and the like, don’t often make it into advice for tourists. It’s not holidaymakers countries tend to imprison and deny human rights to, Owen.

            Saudi Arabia checks out too, so I guess no one there faces human rights issues.
            https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/saudi-arabia

            Nothing to see, send ’em all back.

            Owen, step back for a minute, you’re making a total fool of yourself.

          12. Dόn 'The Unstoppable Force' Pídgéόní

            I’m not sure how travel advice for Serbia from 2016 applies to a resident of Serbia in 2007.

          13. ahjayzis

            I’ve posted three links to reports on the political rights situation in Serbia, it’s triggering a broadsheet filter though for linking or something.

            They’re all on page one of Google though, Owen. If you feel it might be more practical to rely on more than your gut instinct for political facts about places you’re ignorant of.

          14. Owen C

            Ahjaysiz

            so you have zero evidence either, other than what’s going on in Saudi? I expect better of you. Don’t fall into the Moyest trap. Has the BS commentariat decided to just knee-jerk declare Serbia a politically dangerous country???

          15. MoyestWithExcitement

            Look at you there now with the personal attack. I was right so. You really did make by items judgments cause you’ve not seen much in the news. Well done.

          16. ahjayzis

            Owen, pet.

            Evidence was presumably presented at the hearings. You have presented none. You’ve clearly not even googled it beyond advice for holidaymakers.

            You look like an ignorant, paranoid fool.

            But if you have some worries about the judge being corrupt, or the evidence being flawed, or the man being a liar, try an FOI request, or contact the agencies involved.

            But I think we’re all going to treat your “I think this decision is flawed cause I’ve never heard about this situation and sher Serbia’s grand for a hollier” with the respect it deserves. (You’re a crank ;o)

          17. Owen C

            Moyest complaining about personal attacks. Awesome lack of self awareness.

            “MoyestWithExcitement
            March 29, 2016 at 1:59 pm
            If I react to the condescending tone in your post with my own, will you cry like a little toddler about it?”

          18. Owen C

            ahjayzis

            “But if you have some worries about the judge being corrupt, or the evidence being flawed, or the man being a liar, try an FOI request, or contact the agencies involved.”

            I’m the parandoid fool? I’m the one with ad hominen attacks (according to others)? The BS commentariat continues to astound me more and more every day.

          19. jon

            ” my point is that Serbia does not necessarily register with me as a dangerous country to live in from a political perspective”

            serbia is a lot more volatile than here, and just because tens of thousands are not being openly murdered in the streets doesn’t mean this man wasn’t justified in fearing for his life.

      1. Tired old refrain

        People like you and the chorus of boo boys below are the reason no one wants to read this site anymore

          1. Tired old refrain

            You really should take a look at your own behaviour here and try to rationalise it

            even if you were ‘right’ on this issue, which is hard to tell given by the incoherence of your rants and with all the saliva and testosterone flying everywhere, you’ll convince no-one by getting into ‘debate’ with the bigots and holier than thou bigot s with whom you are trying to ‘converse’

    1. Owen C

      “Recent verbal attacks on the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) by the Serbian Prime Minister are just one example of a wider, worrying trend towards bias and government control of the media in Serbia, says Ferdinand Nikolla.”

      Honestly, we’re providing refugee protection because of verbal attacks?

  6. MoyestWithExcitement

    Lad, do you think you know more about what’s going on in Serbia better than the people who granted this fella refugee status?

      1. Dόn 'The Unstoppable Force' Pídgéόní

        Tbf, you seem to think its 2007 so you’re probably as mad as each other

    1. Rob_G

      Was he definitely granted refugee status, though? In the piece above it says ‘leave to remain’. I think that very few people from Nigeria who came to Ireland were granted refugee status, but that many were allowed to remain on other grounds (that their children had been born here, etc).

        1. Rob_G

          A lot of the (circular) arguments above seem to be about whether or not people from Serbia should be granted refugee status; they are not necessarily applicable to this situation, as not at all clear if Nedeljkovic has been granted refugee status at all.

          1. MoyestWithExcitement

            Well. The argument is actually about one guy on the Internet trying to question the integrity if a foreign guy who was critical about the Irish asylum system. He has chosen to do this by slimily insinuating he’s not a genuine case, that he’s not really fleeing persecution, because the clown hasn’t seen any reports of war zones on the telly in that country. Whether or not he actually got refugee status is irrelevant. Unless you have something to add?

  7. Owen C

    This thread has long now gone into levels of comedic debate.

    Imagine if Irish Water/An Garda Siochana/NAMA etc made decision XYZ, and someone on here questioned it, and the response from me was “well, do you think you know better about the subject matter than the people who work for Irish Water/Gardai/NAMA?”. It would be rightly considered clownology of the highest order. And thats exactly what is taking place here – because you have a more positive take on the issue of political refugee status as currently administered in Ireland, anyone even questioning it is considered a crank, a conspiracy nutjob, a fool etc (direct quotes folks). And then when you’re called out on this, asked to provide evidence, its scant or lacking completely! It then degenerates into “oh you’re going ad hominen now” childishness. It’d be sad if it wasn’t hilarious.

    I make, once again, only the following commentary/questions:

    1. Is Serbia a politically dangerous place to reside?
    2. Was this man subject to such danger political threats/oppression?
    3. If it is, what is the evidence of this?
    4. If it is not, is it not fair to ask why this man was granted refugee status?
    5. I ask these questions given Serbia’s status as a state currently undergoing EU ascension.

    1. ahjayzis

      You keep bringing up the accession talks.

      Turkey is more advanced than Serbia in those proceedings and they just nationalised their main newspaper, have 100’s of political prisoners, are prosecuting people for insulting the Prez and are bombing the absolute shyt out of their Kurdish minority.

      You don’t seem to have anything solid on which to base your objection to the ruling on, you’re firing out questions all right, but no one here has any responsibility to educate you, nor do we represent the applicant or the adjudicating agency. And it’s fair enough to say you sound like a crank, you’re questioning the decision but have nothing to back it up with. I mean, ask the agencies involved but I doubt they have all day in which to explain every detail on the basis that you think it’s wrong but don’t know why and aren’t arsed finding out for yourself.

      1. Owen C

        This is a blog. We are trying to discuss things in real time. You have no obligation to answer my questions. I have no obligation to answer yours. But here we are. Its called a debate. It happens quite a bit on here. There is no evidence on the merits of his application for refugee status available. So we’re all forced to either decide for ourselves or listen to other people’s suggestions. This seems like a radical idea for you. Perhaps dealing with the argument rather than calling people an ignorant, paranoid, fool and crank is a good idea? Name calling is fairly easy, but I’ll avoid it for now if thats ok (with the exception of Moyest, that one is my guilty pleasure).

        1. MoyestWithExcitement

          “There is no evidence on the merits of his application for refugee status available.”

          You mean you’ve not seen it. Of course, in your tiny brain that means none exists. Read up on cognitive dissonance when you’re done with your homework this evening. There’s a good lad.

          1. Owen C

            No, i mean there is no available (today) evidence on his application. I could do a FOI request, but (a) that would take some time and (b) that would cost me €30. I really don’t care enough about an online blog debate to do that. Perhaps you could look up the meaning of the word “reality” and how it pertains to today’s blog debate? Good doggy.

          2. MoyestWithExcitement

            And why is it again that you’d even think about asking for that info? You’re suspicious because you’ve not anything bad about Serbia on the news. Lol. You’re my favourite ball of string.

          3. Owen C

            Two LOL’s in recent comments. Someone must be tickling your tummy very hard. Shouldn’t you be busy posting selfies on Facebook?

        2. ahjayzis

          We’re not forced to decide for ourselves – there’s no hint in the post or anything I’ve heard that his application was false or whatever, this post isn’t about the OP’s actual application decision. I mean, why are you so interested in his private affairs that you’d even consider an FOI request or demand to see evidence? What’s it to you? And why just this guy? Because he stuck his head above the parapet to talk about it?

          If it was a post by a man about his marriage troubles and I questioned whether he was legally married, that’s the territory you’re in.

          1. Owen C

            Yes, that’s exactly the same thing. Political refugee status and civil marriage are comparably simple and straight forward issues. Congratulations, you’ve won the internet.

          2. ahjayzis

            Pulling doubts about a person’s character and the truthfulness out of the air is the same. That’s what you did, you’ve made an entire thread into how you *think* a person you never met is a fraud who scammed their way into Ireland. But hey! You’re only asking questions!

            Do you beat your partner? Molested a kid ever? Just asking the questions. I’m entitled to know.

          3. MoyestWithExcitement

            You know, I’ve seen no evidence that the lad doesn’t beat up his partner. Hmmmmm.

          4. Owen C

            “you’ve made an entire thread into how you *think* a person you never met is a fraud who scammed their way into Ireland.”

            where the hell did i call them a fraud and a scammer? They might think they have a just cause to apply. I can still think they are not justified in that application. Not everything is good vs evil for fupps sake.

            “Do you beat your partner? Molested a kid ever? Just asking the questions. I’m entitled to know.”

            You’re comparing applying for refugee status with beating your partner or molesting a kid? You’ve got one warped mind there buddy. Go for a walk and get some fresh air.

          5. Owen C

            Moyest, on the other hand, we have ample evidence you’re an idiot, so it makes that discussion far more straight forward.

          6. MoyestWithExcitement

            No he’s not actually comparing that. He’s applying you presenting your own speculation about this man as evidence against him to a different context to show you how hilariously stupid your “logic” is here.

          7. Owen C

            what did i speculate about the man? As opposed to about his situation. Cos the two are different things. Which you don’t seem to get. You don’t even get as far as “logic” before falling down. LOL.

          8. Owen C

            Am i supposed to come back with an equally childish and irrelevant response? Like “No, I know you are but what am I?”. I mean, its not that you got boring way back up above. You never actually got past boring. Do you just copy and paste from a pre-written set of responses?

        3. Dόn 'The Unstoppable Force' Pídgéόní

          “You have no obligation to answer my questions. I have no obligation to answer yours. But here we are. Its called a debate.”

          That’s not debate, that’s talking over each other. Although you are doing a masterclass in this today so that’s something!

    2. Rob_G

      Away with your logic and deductive reasoning; accept the default position that anyone protest-y (and arts-y to boot) is right, and that it is ‘the establishment’s fault.

    3. smitty

      Asylum seekers must show that they have a well-founded fear of persecution due to their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group, and are unable or unwilling to seek protection from the authorities in their home country. If he felt that he was threatened is any way, to the point he could not go home- on that basis he has every right to seek asylum and ask for refugee status. Serbia is a fantastic country (I visit often), but it has a very violent (recent) history with a lot of it swept under the rug so that the powers that be can stay in power. People are still tense, angry and afraid. Your questions:
      1) Is Serbia a politically dangerous place to reside? Again looking at their history and how the media were watched by the Government in the 90’s, I would assume for him, it may very well be. For the likes of me or you- no I would not think there would be any danger.
      2) Was this man subject to such danger? I assume yes as he is here seeking asylum.
      3) If it is, what is the evidence? I’m sorry? Why do you want the evidence and why do you feel entitled to it?
      4) If it is not, is it not fair to ask why this man was granted refugee status? Nope, not really. Not for you anyway. the people you granted him leave to stay- sure yeah for them it’s fair to ask.

      Anyone for tay?

      1. Owen C

        “Why do you want the evidence and why do you feel entitled to it?”

        Will we all use this excuse when questioning the decisions of our government agencies/organisations? I’m actually entitled to the information under the FOI, its the cost and effort required to gain access to it which is the problem. But i can assure you I actually am fully entitled to it. You should read up on this entitlement while having your tay.

        1. MoyestWithExcitement

          There you go. Little Owen just wants to feel like he’s in charge of something. Helpless and desperate foreigners in this case.

        2. Owen C

          Also

          “You’re not entitled to that!”

          “Actually, yes i am”

          “Oh, look at you and your entitlement!”

          This would make a great comedy skit.

          RIP Ronnie Corbett.

        3. smitty

          I would but I couldn’t care less. I’m not making the decision on him staying and I pity him for having to leave his home.
          But no, I get you totally Owen, seriously, undo the calamity that is your mammaries! You are entitled, of course you are. Send me on your email address and I’ll send over all the paper work my mate had done to allow him refugee status too. Thrilling read I’m sure.

        4. ahjayzis

          What other private legal matters have you looked into to satisfy yourself, Owen? Friends cases in family court? Neighbours driving offences? It’s totally your role as unofficial Legal Ombudsman.

          Do you want his medical test results and history too?

          You’re not being an active citizen, you’re being a nosy, curtain-twitching neighbour.

          1. Owen C

            Its not a private legal matter. What is it that you don’t understand about that? I’m unlikely to have ever heard about the man had he not chosen to publicly discuss his experience under direct provision. That’s why we are talking about him. For someone quite clearly intelligent, why don’t you act like it?

          2. ahjayzis

            It is a private legal matter. It is a matter between a single person and a state agency.

            He’s not applying to you or me for leave to remain, he’s applying to the state through it’s agency.

            Why do you view it as your business?

          3. Owen C

            Because it is of public importance, given the issues of migrants and refugees. YOu want everyone to stick their heads in the sand on this, or just when it suits you to not discuss it?

            Again, will we talk about developers dealing with NAMA as private legal matters with no bearing on the public? Don’t be a cretin. Its of public interest. Just like this is.

          4. ahjayzis

            Sigh.

            What bearing on the public does this man’s individual case for asylum have?

            Child protection is another hugely important issue with massive bearing on the public interest – we don’t get newsletters with the gorey details and names and addresses of litigants for every negligence case and protection order though. Tusla does, and solicitors for the parties involved, and the Children’s Ombudsman and the UN committees – they don’t need Owen C. to run his (totally expert, I’m sure) eye over the particulars to make sure they’re doing their job.

            Mental health is a hugely important issue – you have no access to the care records of strangers though – even though you just want to make sure the nurses are doing a good job! HIQA and the patients and their families have access though, the nursing board, the medical council – they don’t need Owen C. to run his (totally expert, I’m sure) eye over the particulars to make sure they’re doing their job.

            There are actually checks and balances on asylum – appeals, oversight by the UNHCR, the applicant has a solicitor, the state has a solicitor, they don’t need Owen C. to run his (totally expert, I’m sure) eye over the particulars to make sure they’re regulated.

            Sorry to tell you this, but we won’t all get our own individual copies of the book of evidence for any upcoming banker trials, either. We’re not run as a nation of amateur sleuths – a Jessicafletcherocracy.

            I mean there’s no smoke without fire is one thing, but you’ve found no smoke and are trying to pass off hot air as grounds for investigation.

          5. Owen C

            Ok, so up above when you said…

            “I mean, ask the agencies involved… don’t know why and aren’t arsed finding out for yourself.”

            …what you actually meant is “its actually none of your business”? Just asking cos its difficult to know what your position is when you fundamentally change what you say.

          6. Steph Pinker

            Here we go again. BS has been taken over by the Three Muskyturds of Don, Moyest and Same “Tired old refrain” Same old, who only come to BS to pick fights and insult others. There hasn’t been a proper debate in the comments section for a year or more – it’s actually worse than the journal at this stage because the narcissism is worse, and the ego’s are bigger. It’s quite pathetic really, a couple of people posting comments under different usernames all day, every day, it’d be funny if it weren’t so obsessive and nasty.

  8. An Gíogóir

    Before you preach too much. The majority of adults in Direct Provision have had their asylum claims rejected. And should have been deported long ago. Our corrupt and inefficient legal system has kept them here in the hope (of them) that they’ll get leave to remain because their cases take so long to be heard.

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