In a massive immigration enforcement operation led by the national police department of Ireland, An Garda Síochána, the European nation deported 35 people to Nigeria on Wednesday.
- Ireland deported 35 individuals to Nigeria in a recent immigration enforcement operation.
- The deportees included five children and nine women, per the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
- Justice Minister highlighted adherence to robust immigration rules for a fair system.
A statement from the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), which led the operation revealed that Immigration officials confirmed that five children and nine women were among the deported, given that they are family members of the deportees.
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“Ireland has a rules-based immigration system. It is important that those rules are robust and enforced. The return of people whose applications have been refused and deportation orders have issued is the foundation of any modern rules-based immigration process,” Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan stated.
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“People coming to Ireland must follow the appropriate pathways for legal migration, and these pathways must be adhered to and protected for our immigration system to work fairly and effectively.
If a person’s application for international protection is refused and they are ordered to leave the State, they must do so,” he added.
A report by Irish Legal News showed that this is the third such operation since Ireland launched charter deportation flights in February 2025, has been ochestrated.
At the time, the country ensured that the deportees were transported out of Dublin Airport on a chartered flight.
However, the deportation of 35 Nigerians was the first charter flight to Africa this year.
“This is the third charter operation this year. Removal operations of this nature send a clear message that there are consequences for people who remain in our country without permission and underscore this Government’s intention to protect the integrity of our immigration system,” the Ireland Minister revealed.
“The flight was required to make an unscheduled stop due to a medical incident on board, but I am happy to say that the flight was able to resume its journey with all 35 returnees arriving safely in Nigeria this morning.”
