More than 28,000 non-EU citizens were refused entry to Ireland between 2008 and 2016, including over 2,000 people from countries now recognised by the Government as conflict zones or areas of humanitarian concern. The database shows 2,135 citizens from Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Eritrea, Libya and Somalia were refused entry during this period although their purpose of travel is not clear. The number of non-EU citizens refused entry or refused leave to land doubled between 2013 (1,935) and 2016 (3,950). More Brazilian citizens (3,515) were refused entry than any other nationality during the nine-year period analysed. In certain circumstances an individual refused entry may opt to seek asylum if they fear returning to their home country.

Source: The Irish Times February 12, 2018 00:56 UTC