More than 20,000 people signed the petition to support him and his family.
A 14-year-old schoolboy, whose classmates at Tullamore College led a campaign against his deportation, has admitted he is “overwhelmed” after he, his mother and brother were granted leave to remain.
Nonso Muojeke’s classmates and teachers set up an appeal to help him and his family stay in Ireland after a deportation order was issued in June.
According to RTE, Nonso, his mum and older brother came to Ireland from Nigeria after his father died in 2006. He was two years old at the time.
The family had applied for asylum. However, their application was turned down and a deportation order was issued. They continued to engaged with the State via solicitors in an effort to have the order overturned.
More than 20,000 people signed a petition to support the family,arguing that deportation would be unjust because he had spent almost his whole life in Ireland and was integrated into the community.
None’s older brother, Victor, is a student of product design at the University of Limerick. He was awarded a scholarship under the 1916 Bursary Fund.
Earlier this week Minister for Justice Charlie Flanaga confirmed that the family had been given leave to remain in Ireland. He added that he was “pleased that the matters have been resolved to the satisfaction of the family”.
Nonso told RTE’s Radio One yesterday morning that he was “super happy” his family didn’t have to worry anymore, explaining that he didn’t expect the decision to come so soon.
He recalled how his mum had woken him up in the early hours of Wednesday morning to give him the happy news.
He said:
“I heard it at 12, 1am in the morning. My mum woke me up to tell me, she was so happy, she kept on talking, she was texting all the people who helped and supported us.
“I’m so happy and overwhelmed from hearing the news. I was thinking what’s going to happen now.
“Most of the time I was worried about my mum, now it’s gone and I feel super happy that my family don’t have to worry about this anymore.”
