Courts / Dublin / Report

Judge orders release of Chilean student from jail

Date
2020-07-14
Stage
Hearing Or Decision
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Ms Estefany Carolina Alquinta Gonzalez, a 33‑year‑old Chilean student, was detained at Dublin Airport on 2 July after immigration officials refused her entry, citing that she posed a real and immediate threat to the State's fundamental policy interests. She had arrived to begin a six‑month English course at a Dublin‑based language school. The State did not contest an inquiry into the legality of her detention under Article 40 of the Constitution. On 14 July, Mr Justice Charles Meenan, following a hearing with counsel Rosario Boyle SC, ordered her release from custody and awarded her legal costs. Ms Gonzalez had been held in solitary confinement in the female section of Mountjoy Prison, isolated from other prisoners due to Covid‑19 regulations, and had tested negative for the virus. The Minister for Justice intends to review a separate decision that denied her permission to remain in the State.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Judge orders release of Chilean student from jail. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

Why: Before arriving in Ireland, Ms Gonzalez claimed an official in that department said she would be allowed enter Ireland in order to complete her course, even though her courses were to be delivered online, as long as her travel documents were in order. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Facility
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

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Read the original CNI report

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