By Chinedu Onyejelem

The Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland (Masi) has accused the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) of assaulting an Algerian man at a direct provision centre in Newbridge.

Masi says Ousama Denine, whose application for refugee status was refused by the Department of Justice, had been living in Ireland for over six and half before he was allegedly attacked.

Metro Éireann learned that trouble started when Denine, who has been signing with the GNIB every month for the last 20 months, refused to complete and sign a form which he believed “was to facilitate his deportation”.

Denine was given another week to return and sign the form, which was due on 23 October.

However it is claimed that on the even of this date, GNIB officials came for Denine in his hostel.

“To his surprise and that of everyone in the DP centre in Newbridge, [that night] he got a sudden, violent, intimidating, humiliating, degrading and insulting visit from the Garda immigration officers,” said Masi spokesperson Lucky Khambule.

“They forced themselves into his room, ransacked it and turned it upside down, they beat him up until he was unconscious. Left him in his room.

“Everyone was shocked and terrified with noise and the way this poor man was treated in the name of deportation. Ousama says all they kept on saying was, ‘Where are your documents, where is your passport?’”

Khambule added that Denine “could not walk or even stand anymore” but managed to call emergency services and an ambulance took him to hospital.

“We are trying to assist him now for him to get proper legal support in his case. It’s such a shame that the man that came here looking for protection can be assaulted this way by officials. It is also clear that this direct provision is also there to facilitate and fast track these deportations,” Khambule said.

When contacted, the Department of Justice told Metro Éireann to direct its queries to An Garda Siochána, who said it is not their policy “to comment on third party statements”.