Children among those deported in latest operation to remove individuals from the State

Dozens of people, including a number of children, are among the latest group of people to be deported from Ireland, gardai have confirmed.

Members of the Garda National Immigration Bureau say they carried out an operation removing individuals from the State on Wednesday evening.
 
"The operation resulted in the removal of 35 individuals - 21 males, nine females and five children," said a spokesperson who added that the children removed are all part of family groups.
 
According to the garda statement, all of the individuals were removed on a chartered flight which left Dublin Airport, for Nigeria, on Wednesday night.

An Garda Síochána says it continues to work closely with the Department of Justice in implementing immigration policy.

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The latest deportations bring the total number of people who have been removed from the State on special charter flights so far this year to more than 100.

In February 32 people were deported to Georgia while a further 39 were removed and transported to the same country at the end of April.

Since his appointment as Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan has said the "swift and fair return" of people whose applications for asylum have been refused is the foundation of any modern rules-based immigration process and is a priority of his.

“If people wish to move to Ireland, they must do so using the appropriate legal pathways. Removal operations send a clear message that our laws are to be respected and underscores this government’s intention to protect the integrity of our immigration system," he stated in May.