Romi Ramtohul is back home in Mauritius – after having lived homeless in Ireland and suffered brutal beating – thanks to the local Alice Leahy Trust (ALT) and the Gardai, members of the Irish police force.
The Irish Sun newspaper reported that 48-year-old, who first came to the ALT drop in centre in 2014, enjoyed the festive season in Mauritius, fifteen years after his arrival in Ireland.
Romi – who had no papers and no passport – used the centre after becoming homeless and unable to afford high rent, the tabloid reported.
In 2016, he reportedly also suffered a vicious assault and two years later a brain clot.
And in 2019, he attended the centre before telling staff how “he wanted to go home.”
From that moment, the Trust enlisted the help of guards Damien McCarthy and Alan O’Dowd from Pearse Street Garda station.
They then met with the International Organisation for Migration and over the next two years numerous meetings would take place to help Romi.
Romi Ramtohul finally got the go ahead to travel last July after a doctor ruled he was fit to take the plane.
He flew to the island with the two guards after the cost was covered by the Trust, was then reunited with his family.
Gda McCarthy said: “When we first met him you could see that he needed help. He had been through a lot in Ireland and just wanted to get home.
“It was the first time in 15 years that he had been home with his family and he’s simply delighted.
“We are delighted that he’s home with his family and it makes everyone’s efforts all worthwhile.”
Original article at The Irish Sun
