Ireland's Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan TD, confirmed today, Friday, February 28, that chartered deportation flights have recommenced "in order to enforce Ireland’s immigration laws."
The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) of An Garda Síochána carried out an operation removing persons from the State yesterday, Thursday, February 27.
The operation resulted in the removal of 32 Georgian nationals - 28 men, three women, and one child, Gardaí said in a statement on Friday.
The child who was removed is part of a "family group," Gardaí said, "father, mother, and child."
Ireland's Department of Justice noted that the people were "subject to Deportation Orders from the State."
All of the 32 people were removed on a chartered flight that left Dublin Airport on Thursday evening and arrived in Tbilisi, Georgia this morning,
They were accompanied on the flight by Garda personnel, medical staff, an interpreter, and a human rights observer.
"This was the largest removal operation carried out by GNIB in over six years," Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said on Friday.
"An Garda Síochána continues to play its role in enforcing immigration legislation and maintaining the security and integrity of our borders.
"I want to express my thanks to all the members of An Garda Síochána involved in the planning and implementation of this significant operation, particularly those involved in tracking down and finding these individuals.”
Yesterday, Thursday 27th February 2025, the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) of An Garda Síochána carried out an operation removing persons from the State. The operation resulted in the removal of 32 persons (28 men, 3 women, 1 child). The child removed is part of a family group (father, mother and child). All persons were removed on a chartered flight which left Dublin Airport yesterday evening for Georgia. An Garda Síochána continues to work closely with the Department of Justice in implementing immigration policy.
Posted by An Garda Síochána on Friday, February 28, 2025
The DOJ said on Friday: "Charter flights provide an alternative to commercial flights and can be more appropriate in circumstances when a group of individuals are being removed to the same destination.
"A contract was signed in November last year for the provision of charter aircraft for deportation operation purposes. Access to these services has significantly increased the capacity of An Garda Síochána to effect removals.
"Enforced removals are carried out as a measure of last resort when the person concerned has not removed themselves from the State or availed of assisted voluntary return measures."
The DOJ said "Further operations will be conducted as the year progresses."
February 27, 2025: 32 Georgian nationals with Deportation Orders were removed from Ireland on a chartered flight back to Georgia. (An Garda Síochána)
Minister O’Callaghan said: “When a person’s application for International Protection is refused or they are found to have no permission to be in the State, they are offered assistance to return home voluntarily.
"However, when this option is not availed of, they are liable to be deported by the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
“Enforcement and voluntary returns are a fundamental part of any sustainable modern immigration system. Together with [Minister of State for Migration] Colm Brophy, I will be prioritising increasing all types of returns.”
O'Callaghan said a "central priority" for him and this Government is that Ireland's immigration laws are "robust and enforced."
"People are entitled to have confidence in our immigration system and there must be consequences for individuals who refuse to leave the State when they are ordered to do so," O'Callaghan said.
"We have a rules-based system for International Protection applicants. For rules to have meaning, they must be enforced.
"Today is a significant start in ensuring that deportation orders are enforced and part of a more effective immigration system generally. There will be further flights scheduled in the future.
“I want to thank the members of An Garda Síochána and my officials for their work as part of this successful operation.
"I am committed to making our returns system more efficient so that people who are not entitled to be here depart and do so swiftly.”
Last night a flight chartered by my Dept left Dublin forTbilisi Georgia with 32 people who had previously received deportation orders.The flight has now landed & the people are back safely inGeorgia.I want to thank the Gardai & officials in my Dept for coordinating this flight
— Jim O'Callaghan TD (@OCallaghanJim) February 28, 2025
Minister Brophy added: “Chartered deportation flights will now form an important part of removing people who do not have a right to remain in our country.
"I welcome this operation and thank the Gardai and all the staff involved in its success.
"I look forward to now seeing chartered flights in conjunction with voluntary deportations, ensuring that we will have a firm and effective system in place to deal with deportations going forward.”
Meanwhile, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris said on Friday: "A fair and firm migration system must ensure deportations are effective and efficient.
"Today our country recommenced the use of charter flights for deportations.
"If you don’t have a legal right to be here, our system must act and today is evidence that it is and it will."
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