Chartered deportation flights are now a “routine” part of Ireland’s immigration system, the Minister for Justice said as 54 adults and nine children were flown from Ireland to South Africa on Saturday night. According to the Department of Justice, the children were part of family units. The family was at the centre of a large protest outside the Department of Justice earlier this month. “Charter flights are now a routine and essential part of immigration enforcement for the State,” O’Callaghan said. In a statement, the Garda said 10 of the 54 adults who were deported had been convicted of offences in this jurisdiction.

Source: The Irish Times March 01, 2026 09:59 UTC