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Minister Jim O’Callaghan confirms completion of deportation operation to Georgia
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The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan has this evening confirmed the completion of a successful deportation operation to Georgia.
Deportation orders were enforced against 43 Georgian nationals, 33 of whom were adult males and seven of whom were adult females. Among the returnees was one family group of which three were minors.
The flight departed Dublin Airport at 13.50 today, Sunday, and landed in Tbilisi, Georgia at 18:40 (Irish time).
Speaking on this operation, Minister Jim O’Callaghan said:
“Deportations play an essential role in ensuring our immigration system is not undermined and that people follow the pathways already in place for legal migration. They are also an important mechanism to provide the public with confidence that our systems are rules-based and robust.
“This is the sixth charter deportation operation this year and I want to thank members of An Garda Siochana and my officials for their continued work in conducting these complex and sensitive operations.
"I also want to acknowledge that the vast majority of Georgian nationals are legally resident in the State and positively contribute to Irish society.
"The government has a voluntary return programme available for people who have no legal status, or who have had their international protection application withdrawn or refused. This is the preferred option, and people can only avail of this prior to the issuance of a deportation order."
Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy added:
"Deportation operations are complex for all those involved but an important and necessary part of our immigration and asylum procedures.
“As ever, I would like to express my appreciation to officials from my Department and An Garda Síochána for carrying out this successful operation."
The returnees were accompanied on the flight by members of An Garda Síochána, medical staff, an interpreter as well as an independent human rights observer.
Further charter deportation operations will be conducted throughout 2026.
The cost of chartering the aircraft is €225,575.00 (ex VAT) for a return flight.
ENDS…///
Notes for Editors
- This removal flight was provided by Air Partner Ltd at a cost of €225,575.00 (ex VAT) for a return flight.
- Up to the 18 September 2026, 3,381 deportation orders have been signed. In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024.
- In 2025, six charter flight operations removed 182 people who were subject to deportation orders from the State, and 23 EU nationals were removed on Removal Orders. In 2026 to date 221 have been removed by Charter.
- Charter flights have expanded the Garda National Immigration Bureau’s capacity to enforce a greater number of deportation orders, while also providing an alternative to the use of commercial flights. Charter operations can be more appropriate in circumstances when a group of individuals are being removed to the same location.
- The number of people who have departed the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return) over recent years is as follows:
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,677 (up to September 18th) | 2,111 | 1,122 |
- Voluntary return is an option open to people who have no legal status in Ireland including those who are refused International Protection. Where this option is taken up, a deportation order is not issued in respect of that person. The voluntary return programme is not offered to people who have committed serious crimes in the State.
- In 2024, the number of voluntary returns stood at 934. In 2025, 1,616 people availed of voluntary return. This is the preferred method of removing people from the State. Up to 18 September 2026, 1,202 people have availed of voluntary return.
