Deportation enforcement continues to increase

The Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan has today (Thursday 1 May) announced the completion of a successful deportation operation to Georgia. This morning, deportation orders were enforced against 39 people who have been removed from Ireland by charter flight.

This is the second operation conducted since the recommencement of charter flights for deportations earlier this year. On 27 February 2025, a chartered flight to Georgia removed 32 people who were subject to deportation orders.

Speaking on this operation, the Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said:

“Stepping up enforcement and securing our borders is a central commitment of mine. Swift and fair returns of people whose applications have been refused is the foundation of any modern rules-based immigration process.

“If people wish to move to Ireland, they must do so using the appropriate legal pathways. Removal operations send a clear message that our laws are to be respected and underscores this government’s intention to protect the integrity of our immigration system.

“I want to thank the members of An Garda Síochána and my officials for their continued work to ensure that if a person is ordered to leave the country, that they do so. There will be further charter operations to ensure a faster and more efficient removal system.

“It is also important to note that many members of the Georgian community are legally in the State. They contribute to the economy and the cultural and social fabric of our society. They are welcome here and we thank them for their contribution.”

Charter flights are used in addition to commercial flights and can be more appropriate in circumstances where a group of people are being removed to the same destination.

These operations are conducted under a contract signed by the State last November for the provision of charter aircraft for these purposes. Access to these services has significantly increased the capacity of An Garda Síochána to enforce deportation orders. Further operations are expected as the year progresses.

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.

On this point, Minister O’Callaghan added:

“Before a deportation order is made, the person is offered assistance to return home voluntarily, this is the preferred option. In addition to enforced removals, my department is achieving significant increases in the number of people leaving voluntarily and I am asking those who are given this opportunity to avail of it.”

Welcoming today’s flight, Minister Colm Brophy said:

“A modern firm migration policy will have as its central message, that if you do not leave voluntarily when told, you will be deported. Today’s flight is part of underscoring that fact. Regular deportation flights are absolutely essential to my commitment of ensuring that those who have a legal right to be in the state are able to do so, and those who do not, will be removed. I want to thank members of An Garda Síochána for their ongoing excellent work, and to make it clear that this flight will form part of an ongoing process of deportations for people who do not have a right to remain in the State.”

The people concerned were Georgian nationals and the flight left Dublin Airport on Wednesday night and landed in Tbilisi, Georgia Thursday morning.

In line with previous operations, the returnees were accompanied on the flight by Garda personnel, medical staff, an interpreter and a human rights observer.

The department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. 2,403 deportation orders were signed in 2024 an increase of 180% compared to 2023. In 2024, 1,116 people departed the State under various mechanisms (that is, enforced deportation, voluntary return).

This year 1,386 deportation orders have been signed and 647 have departed the State under various mechanisms (that is, enforced deportation, voluntary return) up to and including the 30 April 2025.

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. In 2024, the number of voluntary returns increased to 934 compared to 213 in 2023. This is the preferred method of removing people from the State.