McDowell pledges to step up deportation of illegal immigrants

OVER 2,600 outstanding deportation orders issued against illegal immigrants will be implemented as soon as possible, Justice Minister Michael McDowell said yesterday.

The Minister was speaking after the largest-ever crackdown on immigrants. Over 200 gardaí were involved in a series of dawn raids across Dublin, targeting immigrants subject to deportation orders.

Code-named Operation Hyphen, the raids resulted in 36 arrests. Fourteen people later appeared before Dublin District Court were they were charged with a range of immigration offences. The 11 men and three women were all remanded in custody.