More than 40 South African nationals deported overnight

Forty-two South African nationals were deported from Ireland overnight, comprising nine men, 18 women, and 15 children travelling in family units. They departed Dublin on a specially chartered flight at 3:30 p.m. and arrived in Johannesburg at 4:00 a.m. Irish time on Friday, marking the fourth deportation flight of the year. The operation is part of ongoing removals, with 130 people dispatched so far in 2026 and 67 EU citizens among those deported on criminality grounds. The group was accompanied by gardaí, medical staff, an interpreter, and a human rights observer aboard.

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan defended the enforcement approach, saying the rules-based system is essential for public confidence, while Migration Minister Colm Brophy stressed that Ireland welcomes migrants who contribute to society but must enter through legal channels. The cost of the aircraft for the return flight was €735,000, excluding VAT. Officials emphasised that deportations must proceed through legal pathways, reflecting a broader policy shift in 2026 as Ireland recorded a rise in signed deportation orders compared with 2024. The Department of Justice noted the overall deportation trend for 2026 remains under review.