Jim O'Callaghan

Last night’s flight from Dublin Airport was the fourth charter operation carried out in 2025, following two flights to Georgia and one to Nigeria.

The total number of people removed by charter flight is no 130. Another 132 deportation orders have been enforced on commercial flights and 40 people subject to deportation orders are confirmed to have left Ireland unescorted so far in 2025.

Justice, home affairs and migration minister Jim O’Callaghan said: “This year sustained and significant work has been undertaken to strengthen immigration enforcement and increase the removal of people who have no legal right to be in Ireland.

“We are seeing the results with a doubling of enforced deportations. 3,029 deportation orders have been issued so far in 2025.

“I want to thank the members of An Garda Síochána and my officials for the significant work in conducting these sensitive and complex operations.

“This sends a clear message, if a person’s application for international protection is refused and they are ordered to leave the State, they must do so.

“If they choose not to leave voluntarily, they will be forced to leave. We must hold firm on this principle because deportations are an essential part of any immigration system.

“Part of having a rules-based immigration system is that there are consequences when an application is refused and the person does not leave. The vast majority of people coming to Ireland follow the legal pathways, and for our immigration system to work fairly and effectively, we have to protect the integrity of the legal pathways.”

He added: “It is important to acknowledge that the vast majority of our Pakistani community are here legally. They continue to be welcome in Ireland and we value their contribution to our economy, culture and society.”

Colm Brophy, minister for migration, said: “Charter flights are a vital enforcement tool in our removals process. A key priority of this government is that our immigration laws are effective and firm, ensuring that we have a fit for purpose, modern immigration system.

“This is the fourth charter flight this year and I would also like to thank members of An Garda Síochána, as well as the officials involved, for their ongoing hard work to ensure that these operations are conducted in a professional manner.

“It is essential that people who have no permission to remain in the State are removed, therefore upholding the integrity of the immigration system.”