Bulgarian couple granted leave to appeal deportation
A Bulgarian couple whose Irish-born baby died two years ago have been granted leave to seek a judicial review of the Government's move to deport them.
Andon Kozhukarov and Bilyana Spasovo, both members of the Roma community, have lived in Ireland since fleeing Bulgaria in 2002.
They are seeking asylum on the grounds of political persecution, claiming Mr Kozhukarov had been beaten and Ms Spasovo raped by police in their home town.
Lawyers for the couple argued the Minister for Justice had not considered the unique and tragic circumstances of their case and the High Court ruled today that they had a case on limited grounds relating to the European Convention on Human Rights.
The couple's first son, Donald, died in December 2003 and is buried in Dublin's Glasnevin cemetery.
They said they would be prevented from visiting his grave if they were sent back to Bulgaria.
