Gardaí deport 42 Brazilian nationals in major immigration operation

Subject to deportation orders, a total of 42 people were deported from the State, including 15 serving prison sentences. File picture

An Garda Síochána have deported 42 Brazilian nationals from Ireland over two months in the summer.

Statistics provided by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) on Friday showed the results of a targeted operation.

Subject to deportation orders, a total of 42 people were deported from the State, including 15 serving prison sentences.

Furthermore, 62 people returned voluntarily from Ireland.

Voluntary return is an option for people without legal status in Ireland, or those who withdrew or were refused international protection applications.

Gardaí say that since this operation, there has been an increase in engagement with the voluntary return process, with nearly 100 new applicants since the start of the operation.

As part of planning and investigations, the GNIB confirmed that many people recorded as holding valid deportation orders in the State are no longer resident and likely returned to Brazil.

The GNIB said they are making enquiries to establish the whereabouts of these individuals.

Adrian Minnock, the head of the GNIB explained: "This GNIB led operation targeting the removal of Brazilian nationals who are illegal in the state over the past two months demonstrates An Garda Síochána's ongoing commitment to remove persons who are illegal in the State. 

"This operation follows on other recent operations where persons illegal in the state were subject of deportation on charter flights. The GNIB will continue this work, engaging with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that persons subject of immigration requirements are compliant and removed from the state where necessary.”

So far in 2025, the State has issued 2,713 deportation orders. A total of 1,386 people have been removed, either forcibly or voluntarily, according to justice minister Jim O'Callaghan.