Lithuanian man brought to Ireland to face charges as four criminals sent home

Gardaí man a checkpoint at the entrance to Terminal 2, Dublin Airport, this week. Picture: Colin Keegan

A joint Garda-Defence Forces operation saw the removal of four serious convicted criminals to Lithuania and the extradition back to Ireland of a Lithuanian to face drug-trafficking charges.

The complicated operation was organised given the lack of connecting commercial flights and the logistical difficulties caused by Covid-19 restrictions.

The restrictions on social distancing meant that two flights were required this week in order to accommodate the number of prisoners, escort staff, and crew.

The four Lithuanian nationals were forcibly ejected from the country on foot of “removal orders” signed by the justice minister.

The four individuals had almost completed serving lengthy sentences in Ireland — three for armed robbery and one for drugs supply.

“These are not deportation orders for immigration offences, but removal orders of convicted criminals, who commit crimes here and are near the end of their sentences,” said one source.

“It particularly relates to anyone involved in violent crime. If this wasn’t enforced they could walk out of prison and be a threat to society.” 

Gardaí make an application to the justice minister for a removal order on the basis that the persons concerned should not stay here after the completion of their term.

Removal orders include a ban on returning, in this case for over 10 years.

Removal orders are time-specific and the lack of connecting commercial flights on a daily basis hampers attempts to use the normal procedure of removing people from the country.

The Garda National Immigration Bureau engaged in consultation and discussion with the air corps on the actual removal of the prisoners.

Sources said they would normally go on one flight, but given the restrictions on social distancing, and the numbers involved, two trips were required.

Each prisoner requires at least two escort officers and a medical officer also typically travels, in addition to the air corps flight crew.

Officers take a Covid-19 test beforehand and wear PPE.

The first trip from Baldonnel flew out on Monday and the return trip saw the extradition back to Ireland of a Lithuanian wanted to face charges for drug trafficking. He was returned under the European arrest warrant.

The second flight out to Lithuania, with the two remaining prisoners, took place on Wednesday.

The existence of the operation was first disclosed by Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll, head of Organised and Serious Crime, on Thursday.

In a statement, gardaí said: "On Tuesday 2nd February 2021, a 46-year-old male was extradited from Lithuania of foot of a European Arrest Warrant in respect of Drugs Offences.

"The male was arrested on arrival in Ireland by Detectives attached to Dundalk Garda Station.

"The male appeared before Dundalk District Court on 3rd February 2021. He is currently remanded in custody to appear before Dundalk District Court on 10th February 2021.

"During the same operation, four Eastern European males were deported from Ireland to Lithuania having served custodial sentences in this jurisdiction for Robbery and Drugs offences.

"The Extradition and Deportation travel were facilitated by the Irish Air Corps."

A statement from the Defence Forces said: "Óglaigh na hÉireann have a long-standing formal relationship with An Garda Siochána with respect to the facilitation of the movement of prisoners to and from Ireland.

"On foot of a request from An Garda Siochána, the Air Corps assisted with the transfer of 4 EU Nationals out of the state and the transfer of 1 EU National into the state between 01 - 4 Feb 2021 utilising the CASA CN252 aircraft."