20/06/2026
Up to 42 South African nationals, including 15 children, were deported from Ireland on Thursday on a government-chartered flight as part of an operation carried out by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
The deportation operation involved 18 women, nine men and 15 juveniles, all of whom were subject to deportation orders issued by the Minister for Justice. According to the Department of Justice, the children were all part of family groups and were not deported on their own. The charter flight departed Dublin on Thursday afternoon and arrived in Johannesburg on Friday morning. The cost of the return flight was €735,000, excluding VAT.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said that the “vast majority of South African nationals are legally resident in the State and positively contribute to society”, but added that Ireland’s immigration system must be rules-based. Minister of State with responsibility for migration Colm Brophy said Ireland “welcomes migrants as they play an important role in our economic, social and community life”, but said they must enter through the legal pathways available and comply with the laws of the State.
The Department of Justice also said that two of the 42 people removed on the flight had been convicted of offences in Ireland. Their deportation formed part of ongoing nationwide operations being conducted by gardaí.
@ credit
