AN IRANIAN MAN who has been on hunger strike at a direct provision centre in Sligo for over a month will be granted access to the asylum process.

Amjad Rosstami had been denied access as he had landed in the UK before coming to Ireland and his deportation was expected to be officially ordered later this month.

EU law dictates asylum must be processed in the country a person first arrives in.

His story was highlighted by local TD Marc MacSharry who contacted Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald about the case last week.

Speaking to TheJournal.ie, MacSharry said he visited the man last night in Sligo University Hospital where he had been admitted.

“I asked him if I could manage to get him permitted to apply for asylum and be interviewed in the normal manner, would he come off the hunger strike pending the outcome. He said he would.”

The Fianna Fáil TD again contacted the minister to relay the message. TheJournal.ie understands Rosstami will now be able to apply for asylum in Ireland, though MacSharry said the man did not appear to be aware of this at 10.30am this morning when the TD made contact with his roommate.

“It’s excellent news if that’s the case,” he said.

Ireland currently ha around 5,000 people living in direct provision centres in Ireland awaiting decisions on their asylum applications.

Read: Asylum seeker enters 35th day of hunger strike in Sligo centre>