Women and children among 35 people deported from Ireland to Nigeria

The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) carried out an operation removing individuals from Ireland, with the people leaving for Nigeria on Wednesday night.

Thirty-five people, including five children, have been deported from the State, gardaí have said.

The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) carried out an operation removing individuals from Ireland, with the people leaving for Nigeria on Wednesday night.

The operation resulted in the removal of 21 males, nine females and five children. The children removed are all part of family groups.

The flight was forced to make an unscheduled stop due to a medical incident on board, but was later given the all clear to carry on to Nigeria.

"All individuals were removed on a chartered flight which left Dublin Airport last night, Wednesday, 4th June, 2025, for Nigeria," said a Garda spokesperson.

"An Garda Síochána continues to work closely with the Department of Justice in implementing immigration policy."

Speaking about the operation, justice minister Jim O’Callaghan said: “Ireland has a rules-based immigration system. It is important that those rules are robust and enforced. The return of people whose applications have been refused and deportation orders have issued is the foundation of any modern rules-based immigration process.

"People coming to Ireland must follow the appropriate pathways for legal migration and these pathways must be adhered to and protected for our immigration system to work fairly and effectively. If a person’s application for international protection is refused and they are ordered to leave the State they must do so."

The flight to Nigeria is the third charter operation this year, Mr O'Callaghan said. Two charter flights removed 71 people who were subject to deportation orders earlier in the year. Wednesday's operation brings the number of people removed by charter flight to 106.

The Department of Justice said that, additionally, 54 deportation orders have been enforced on commercial flights and 23 people subject to deportation orders are confirmed to have left Ireland unescorted so far in 2025.

"Removal operations of this nature send a clear message that there are consequences for people who remain in our country without permission and underscores this Government’s intention to protect the integrity of our immigration system," Mr O'Callaghan said

"The flight was required to make an unscheduled stop due to a medical incident on board, but I am happy to say that the flight was able to resume its journey with all 35 returnees arriving safely in Nigeria this morning.

"I want to thank the members of An Garda Síochána and my officials for their work in conducting this successful operation.”

Last year, 2,403 deportation orders were signed. This saw an increase of 180% compared to 2023. 

So far this year, the department said 1,940 deportation orders had been signed and 888 people had departed the State under various mechanisms — such as enforced deportation or voluntary return.

Voluntary return is an option open to people who have no legal status in Ireland, including those who are refused international protection. Where this option is taken up, a deportation order is not issued in respect of that person.