Irish authorities have deported 42 South African nationals who were residing in the country without legal permission, as part of a coordinated immigration enforcement operation.
The group, made up of nine men, 18 women and 15 children, was removed from Ireland on a chartered flight that departed Dublin Airport on Thursday afternoon and arrived in South Africa on Friday morning. The children were deported alongside their families.
The operation was carried out by the Garda National Immigration Bureau following the issuance of deportation orders by Irish immigration authorities.
Officials revealed that two members of the group had criminal convictions while living in Ireland.
Commenting on the exercise, Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, stated that most South Africans living in Ireland do so legally and contribute positively to society. However, he stressed the need for the country’s immigration system to remain effective and credible.
According to the minister, maintaining a rules-based immigration framework requires the enforcement of deportation orders where individuals no longer have the legal right to remain in the country.
The deported individuals have since arrived safely in South Africa, bringing the operation to a close.
