Ireland has deported 42 South African nationals who were living illegally in the country, as the government intensifies immigration enforcement and introduces fresh visa requirements for nationals of some countries.
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The deportees, comprising nine men, 18 women and 15 children, were flown back to Johannesburg on a chartered aircraft which departed Dublin Airport on Thursday afternoon and arrived in South Africa on Friday morning.
Ireland’s Department of Justice said the children were removed as part of family units.
The returnees were accompanied on the flight by members of An Garda Síochána, medical staff, an interpreter and a human rights observer.
According to reports, two of the deported South Africans had criminal convictions in Ireland.
Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, confirmed the enforcement of the deportation orders, saying the country’s immigration system must remain rules-based and robust.
“Our immigration system must be rules-based and robust,” O’Callaghan said.
“The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure there is public confidence in the application of our legislation in this area.”
He, however, stressed that the majority of South African nationals living in Ireland are law-abiding and legally resident.
“The vast majority of South African nationals are legally resident in the State and positively contribute to society,” he said.
O’Callaghan also thanked members of An Garda Síochána and officials of his department for their work in carrying out what he described as complex operations.
The Department of Justice said the charter flight was provided by Air Partner Ltd at a cost of €735,000, excluding VAT, for a return flight. It added that the total cost of the operation had not yet been finalised as the invoicing process was still ongoing.
Minister of State with responsibility for Migration, Colm Brophy, said Ireland welcomes migrants who contribute to its economic, social and community life, but insisted that migration must take place through legal pathways.
“It is necessary to recognise that Ireland welcomes migrants as they play an important role in our economic, social, and community life,” Brophy said.
“However, they must enter through the various legal pathways available and abide by the laws of the State.”
He disclosed that the government had taken significant steps to improve enforcement measures, noting that 4,700 deportation orders were signed in 2025.
The Department said the latest operation was the fourth deportation charter flight conducted in 2026. In three previous charter operations this year, 130 people were removed from Ireland, including 67 European Union citizens on grounds of criminality.
In 2025, Ireland conducted six charter operations involving the removal of 205 people from the country.
The department added that 4,700 deportation orders were signed in 2025, representing a 96 per cent increase from 2024. So far in 2026, 2,108 deportation orders have been signed.
It said further charter operations would be carried out during the year.
Meanwhile, the Irish government has also announced new visa requirements affecting nationals of Saint Lucia, Nicaragua, and Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Under the new rules, which took effect on June 15, 2026, citizens of the affected countries must obtain visas before travelling to Ireland.
The government said the new measures form part of efforts to strengthen immigration controls and ensure that entry into the country is properly regulated.
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