Department of Justice Intensifies Deportation Operations with Special Charter Flight from Ireland to Georgia; More Actions Expected This Year

DUBLIN: The Irish Government has completed a deportation operation via a specially chartered flight involving Georgian nationals, as part of ongoing efforts to repatriate individuals residing in the country without legal permission. A spokesperson for the Department of Justice stated that more chartered deportation operations will be conducted throughout the course of this year.

The department confirmed that the cost of chartering the aircraft for the return flight amounted to €225,575 (advance VAT). To ensure the operation was carried out transparently and safely, members of An Garda Síochána (police), medical personnel, an interpreter, and an independent human rights monitor accompanied the returnees on board.

Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy commented that while deportation procedures are complex for everyone involved, they represent an important and necessary component of the country’s immigration and asylum framework. Authorities also noted that while voluntary return options exist, individuals can only avail of them prior to a formal deportation order being issued.

Reasons for Issuing Deportation Orders

Deportation orders are mandatory legal directions to leave the state, primarily issued under the following circumstances:

• Lack of Valid Permission to Remain: Entering Ireland on a valid visa but remaining after its expiration, or lacking legal permission to continue staying in the country.
• Serious Criminal Background: Involvement in grave criminal offenses, particularly those entailing severe violence or illicit narcotics.
• Refused Asylum Applications: When an application for international protection has been formally rejected and no alternative legal basis to remain exists.

The Department indicated that firm measures will continue against individuals without legal status, with additional chartered return flights planned over the coming months.