Great Agbonlahor was found to suffer from a range of problems, including detachment disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), when he was assessed last October.

The assessment found that Great is unable to partake in regular education and would face serious problems unless he was given access to specialist care.

The Department of Justice issued a deportation order on Great, his twin sister Melissa and his mother Olivia last November, shortly after the assessment took place.

The family will apply in the High Court tomorrow for a judicial review of their case, claiming that Great will not be able to receive specialist care in Nigeria.

Neither Great nor Melissa have ever been to Nigeria, having lived first in Italy and then Ireland.

Great is due to begin classes in a specialist school in Cork later this month. The headmaster at Clonakilty's Scoil na mBuchailli, where he has attended up to now, says Great is unable to attend regular school.

"If they go to Nigeria, there is no way Great will get the services he needs, " said Barth Harrington.

"Olivia will have to look after him 24 hours a day, which will condemn them to a life of poverty."