The only reason why I published this was simply because of the link with the situation in Brussels, Belgium as reported in the Brussels Journal.

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Asylum Seekers' Siege Ends

Updated: 23:45, Saturday May 20, 2006

Irish police have removed hunger-striking Afghan asylum seekers who were occupying a Dublin cathedral.

After a seven-day stand-off, a number of youths among the protesters were taken into care while the men, who had threatened suicide, were arrested.

The move by Garda units brought an end to a crisis which had deepened when Church of Ireland negotiators pulled out of mediation attempts when a potential settlement was rejected by the authorities.

It is understood that the Irish justice minister Michael McDowell has struck no deal with the group.

At first 41 people occupied St Patrick's cathedral, but three were taken to hospital and not allowed back in the church.

They were demanding political asylum and claimed they would be tortured or killed if forced to return to their native country.

Ten of the group threatened at one stage to jump form a 20-metre high organ loft while others created nooses and said they would hang themselves.

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-13524851,00.html

Credit Sky News