Minister Jim O’Callaghan confirms completion of charter operation to South Africa to effect deportation orders.
- Foilsithe:
- An t-eolas is déanaí:
Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan has confirmed the completion of a charter operation to South Africa.
63 people, consisting of 54 adults and 9 children, have been removed from Ireland by charter flight. The children removed were part of family units.
The flight departed Dublin Airport at 17:05 on Saturday, 28 February 2026 and landed in Johannesburg shortly after 4:00 on Sunday, 1 March 2026 (Irish time).
This is the second charter operation this year, and the eighth since the recommencement of charter flights to effect removals and deportation orders in 2025.
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. Charter flights increase the options available to An Garda Síochána to effect orders.
The returnees were accompanied on the flight by members of An Garda Síochána, medical staff, an interpreter and a human rights observer.
Further charter operations will be conducted throughout 2026.
Speaking on the operation, Minister O’Callaghan said:
“Charter flights are now a routine and essential part of immigration enforcement for the state. Without effective enforcement measures, our immigration laws would be undermined, and I want to ensure that there is public confidence in the application of our laws in this area. If a person does not have a legal permission to be in the State, or has been involved in criminality, they will be removed. I would like to thank the members of An Garda Síochána and officials from my department for their continued hard work in conducting these complex operations."
Minister of State Colm Brophy, added:
“I would like to acknowledge that the majority of South African nationals resident in Ireland are doing so legally, having entered the State though the various legal pathways available. They are welcome and contribute immensely to our economy and society. I would also like to extend my thanks to members of An Garda Síochána and Department officials."
ENDS…///
Notes for Editors
In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024.
In 2024, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return). In 2025, 2,111 people had their departure confirmed through these pathways, an increase of 88% compared to 2024.
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 stood at 934. In 2025, 1,616 people availed of voluntary return. This is the preferred method of removing people from the State.
Furthermore 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.
The first charter operation of 2026 took place on 25 January 2026 and saw 17 Polish citizens and 16 Lithuanian citizens removed on grounds of criminality in accordance with the Free Movement Directive (Directive 2004/38/EC).
This removal flight was provided by Air Partner Ltd at a cost of €585,075 (ex-VAT) for a return flight. The total costs for this operation are not yet available as the invoicing process has not yet been completed.
