N. v The International Protection Appeals Tribunal and Anor (Approved)

      The Applicant claims to be a South African national who fled South Africa after the murder of her brother by a drug gang who allegedly threatened to kidnap and force her into prostitution.

      She arrived in Ireland on the 13 th of February, 2023 and applied for international protection on the 13 th of April, 2023 in accordance with s.15 of the International Protection Act, 2015 (hereinafter "the 2015 Act") undergoing a preliminary interview under s.13(2) of the 2015 Act and completing an International Protection Office Questionnaire.

      The Applicant attended an interview pursuant to the provisions of s.35 of the 2015 Act with an International Protection Officer (hereinafter "IPO") on the 26 th of April, 2023.

      The Applicant appealed to the Tribunal from the decision of the IPO by Notice of Appeal dated the 13 th of July, 2023.� She was afforded an oral hearing on the 23 rd of February, 2024, as it was considered necessary for reasons set out at para. 5 of Tribunal Decision as follows:

      It appears that during the hearing, the Applicant became distressed.� In consequence, the Tribunal suggested that a medico-legal report might be useful and permitted her legal representatives three weeks from the date of the hearing to decide whether to obtain one. �An email indicating that an appointment had been made for just such a report was subsequently received by the Tribunal and time was allowed for same.