The Irish government has deported 42 South African nationals found to be residing illegally in the country, in an operation that reportedly cost authorities about €735,000 (approximately $845,000).
According to reports, the deportees were flown from Dublin to Johannesburg aboard a chartered aircraft on Thursday, arriving in South Africa the following day.
Those removed comprised nine men, 18 women and 15 children travelling as family units.
Irish authorities said the deportees were deported after receiving removal orders from the Garda National Immigration Bureau and failing to utilise opportunities for voluntary return.
The latest exercise represents Ireland’s fourth charter deportation flight of 2026 as the government intensifies efforts to enforce immigration regulations.
Officials disclosed that two of the deportees had previous criminal convictions in Ireland.
Although South Africa is regarded by Irish authorities as a safe country of origin, asylum applicants from the country must provide evidence demonstrating a direct threat to their safety before they can qualify for international protection.
Commenting on the deportations, Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan defended the government’s decision, stressing the need for a credible and effective immigration system.
“Our immigration system must be rules-based and robust. 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,” he said.
O’Callaghan noted that the reported €735,000 expenditure represents a preliminary estimate, with the final cost expected to be determined after all invoices related to the operation
