Asylum applicants to Ireland surged on EU fingerprint database despite sharp fall in numbers seeking asylum

Numbers seeking asylum here last year dropped to 13,160, from 18,561 in 2024 File picture: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie

The number of asylum applicants in Ireland flagged on a European fingerprint database surged by almost 50% last year, despite a sharp fall in the numbers seeking international protection.

Figures from the Department of Justice show there were 2,315 ‘hits’ on Eurodac last year, compared to 1,558 in 2024.