State paid €50,000 to deport one man

TAXPAYERS forked out €50,000 to return one illegal immigrant back to Gambia, Justice Minister Michael McDowell told the Dáil yesterday.

That was the most expensive deportation out of 723 since January 2002. Overall, the deportations have cost the State a total of €3,150,073. The 23 charter flights came in at an average of €136,000 each.

The most expensive deportations were to Nigeria, with a flight returning 35 people in March 2005 costing €265,000 — or €7,500 each. The removal of 13 Nigerians earlier this year worked out at more than €19,000 per person.

The deportation of the Gambian man cost the State so much because he was previously removed from three commercial airlines due to rowdy behaviour.

Mr McDowell said that economic considerations were taken into account, but it was necessary to hire charter flights if deportees were considered too disruptive for scheduled services.

Gardaí and other officials also needed to accompany the individuals in varying numbers.

“One immigration officer had his arm broken by a person resisting deportation. Disruptive passengers may necessitate flights to be grounded and arrests made,” Mr McDowell said.

“The views of other passengers must be taken into account, especially on long-haul flights, if a significantly disruptive passenger is on a plane.

“The majority of people who finish the asylum process are requested to leave voluntarily. They are offered arrangements to return home, with the assistance of the International Organisation of Migration.

“Everyone who is brought to Dublin airport in custody to be sent home on a charter flight has been offered and has refused the opportunity to return to his or her country on an ordinary flight with assistance from the Irish State.”