Immigration unit geared up for wave of deportations

DOZENS of gardaí, including experienced special branch and drugs unit detectives, have been assigned to the National Immigration Bureau as the force gears up to carry out a wave of deportations this year.

More than 40 people have been assigned to the unit in recent weeks while others already with the bureau have been allocated to detective duties.

The beefed-up bureau will be responsible for tracking down and executing thousands of outstanding deportation orders already signed by Justice Minister Michael McDowell.

Only a fraction of those facing deportation have been sent home and while many may still be in the country, immigrant support groups believe huge numbers have left the State.

Garda sources say the large number of detectives will help ensure better intelligence ahead of any operations to pick up failed asylum seekers.

In the first large scale operation to identify, arrest and deport non-nationals, in July 2002, more than 600 gardaí raided 294 premises. Only 15 people of nearly 150 arrested were actually deported, while more than 70 were later discovered to be legally resident in the State. The operation cost €100,000.

Earlier this month, 65 Romanians and Moldovans were deported on a chartered aircraft following raids by immigration officers. Refugee groups expect more of the same in the coming months.

An extra seven sergeants have been recruited to the immigration bureau, including one from the Special Detective Unit. He is joined by two other members of the same unit.

Others have joined from the drugs squad and the security and intelligence unit. The majority of the new recruits have been transferred from stations across Dublin.

Peter O’Mahoney of the Irish Refugee Council said large numbers of those on deportation lists have long since left the State.

He believes at least some of the new recruits will be assigned to ports and airports.

Mr O’Mahoney hopes the increased numbers will lead to greater co-operation between the authorities and non-government organisations involved with asylum seekers.

Around 2,428 orders were signed by the Justice Minister last year. Romanians, Nigerians, Czechs, Algerians and South Africans made up around half of that total. The number of orders being signed was increasing as staff numbers at the Refugee Applications Centre and at the Repatriation Unit in Burgh Quay has increased.