At least 40 Nigerians deported on special charter flight

Gardaí have reportedly deported at least 40 Nigerians on a specially chartered flight that departed from Dublin Airport under cover of darkness last night.

Reports this morning said most of those flown to Lagos were arrested in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Athlone over the past few days.

The campaign group Residents Against Racism said it believed at least two pregnant women were among those returned to their home country.

Spokesperson Rosanna Flynn said their treatment was atrocious.

"Some of them have been here six years, they were very well integrated, they had letters of support from local community groups, local TDs, local priests and clergymen," she said.