Gardaí deport 25 convicted sex offenders in new operation

To date, 14 non-EU nationals and 11 EU nationals are now all subject to 'exclusion periods' from Ireland. File picture: Dan Linehan

Gardaí have identified and deported 25 sex-offending non-Irish nationals in an operation which began last year.

Operation Moonridge targets "highly dangerous" non-Irish nationals living in the state. 

"The operation involves identifying and locating convicted sex offenders of interest to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) for consideration for an EU Removal Order or deportation," the department of justice said.

It involves information sharing between GNIB and a number of agencies, including the Garda National Protective Services Bureau, the Garda Sex Offenders Management Intelligence Unit (SOMIU) and the Department of Justice.

To date, 14 non-EU nationals and 11 EU nationals are now all subject to "exclusion periods" from Ireland. 

The operation follows the implementation of recommendations made by the Commission of the Future of Policing in Ireland which saw up to 100 Garda immigration officers relieved from administrative duties to focus on investigative and enforcement immigration duties. 

Justice minister Jim O'Callaghan welcomed the progress of Operation Moonridge. 

"This work being undertaken by specialised units within An Garda Síochána is critical for the protection of people and for building public confidence in Ireland’s immigration system," the minister said. 

“I am implementing a rules-based migration system, which means if a person commits serious offences while in the state, that person will be caught and removed.

“Operation Moonridge involves extensive information sharing between the Garda National Immigration Bureau and a number of key agencies, including the Garda National Protective Services Bureau, the Garda Sex Offenders Management Intelligence Unit (SOMIU) and units within my Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. I commend all these agencies involved in this significant work.” 

Operation Moonridge remains ongoing.