Irish authorities have deported 42 South African nationals living illegally in the country on a chartered flight, at an initial cost of €735,000 (about $845,000).
The group — nine men, 18 women and 15 children travelling in family units — was removed from Dublin Airport on Thursday and arrived in Johannesburg on Friday, marking Ireland’s fourth major deportation charter flight this year.
The operation was carried out by the Garda National Immigration Bureau following deportation orders issued to individuals who did not opt for voluntary return. Two of those deported had prior criminal convictions in Ireland.
Irish Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan stressed the importance of a robust immigration system.
“Our immigration system must be rules-based and robust,” O’Callaghan said. “The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure there is public confidence in the application of our legislation in this area.”
He noted that while the majority of South Africans in Ireland are legally resident and contribute positively, strict compliance remains a priority. South Africa is designated a safe country of origin, limiting asylum claims unless individuals prove a specific threat to their safety.
