Courts / Ireland / Report

Asylum seeker had 'substantial lack of knowledge' of professed faith

Summary

The High Court refused a 31‑year‑old Georgian man's request to challenge the International Protection Office's refusal to grant him asylum. He had claimed that if returned to Georgia he would face religious persecution as a Jehovah's Witness. The IPO found his knowledge of the faith lacking, citing incorrect answers about baptism, the archangel Michael, the 144,000, and other doctrinal points. The IPO also deemed his claims of threat and assault unsubstantiated. He appealed to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal, which rejected his appeal, citing his substantial lack of knowledge and lack of explanation for it. He then sought judicial review, arguing the Tribunal had erred in its interpretation of the religion and had omitted relevant material. Justice Siobhán Phelan dismissed the application, describing the complaints as trivial and tenuous and refusing leave to pursue the challenge. The case remains at the High Court level with no further action granted.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Asylum seeker had 'substantial lack of knowledge' of professed faith. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• August 2022 Other
• August 2024 Other
• 2025-04-04 Publication

Why: The 31-year-old man made a claim for international protection to the Minister for Justice in August 2022 on the basis that if he were returned to Georgia, he would suffer religious persecution because of his faith. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report