Ireland on Wednesday deported 35 Nigerian nationals, including five children and nine women, for violating immigration laws, according to a statement by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
The deportees were removed on a chartered flight that departed Dublin Airport on the night of June 4, 2025. GNIB confirmed that the children were part of family units.
This marks Ireland’s first charter deportation flight to Africa in 2025, and the third such operation since the country resumed group deportations via chartered flights in February.
“Ireland operates a rules-based immigration system. Those rules must be enforced if the system is to remain fair and effective,” said Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan, as quoted by Irish Legal News.
He added: “People coming to Ireland must use the appropriate legal pathways. If an individual’s application for international protection is refused and a deportation order is issued, they are required to leave the State.”
The Justice Minister emphasized that these operations are essential to uphold the integrity of Ireland’s immigration system:
“This is the third charter operation this year. Such removals send a clear message that remaining in Ireland without permission has consequences.”
The flight reportedly made an unscheduled stop due to a medical emergency on board, but later resumed and arrived safely in Nigeria with all 35 individuals.
