14-year-old Nonso Muojeke and his family are still facing removal from Ireland after a deportation order against them was upheld by the International Protection Appeals Tribunal.

A 10-day stay on the order has been granted pending a further appeal which now must go before the Supreme Court. A failed appeal there would result in the Tullamore family being deported to Nigeria.

SEE ALSO: Offaly school rallies behind pupil facing deportation

The case of the Muojeke family has received much media attention in recent weeks as friends, classmates and politicians continue to call on Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan to intervene.

A petition calling on the Minister to save the family from deportation has now received 18,000 signatures from across the world.

Nonso (14) is a student in Tullamore College and has been in Ireland since he was two years old. His brother Victor is also a past pupil of the Offaly school and is now studying at the University of Limerick.

SEE ALSO: WATCH: Friends issue heartfelt tribute to Offaly family facing deportation

The boys mother moved from Nigeria to Ireland after their father died in 2006 and she, as a widow, became the property of her husband’s brother, as is the custom. She suffered mistreatment in that relationship and was forced to flee.

The family spent time in Direct Provision before moving to Laois and later to Tullamore with they became a part of the community.

The boys friends recently released an emotional plea to the Minister to prevent the deportation, describing them as friendly, bright, intelligent boys who identify totally as Irish.

You can sign the petition supporting the Muojeke family here.

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