42 South African people including 15 children 'removed' from Ireland
This operation resulted in the removal of 42 South African nationals
42 South African people, including 15 children, were deported from Ireland to South Africa yesterday.
The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) of An Garda Síochána carried out the operation removing the individuals from the State on foot of Deportation Orders issued by the Minister for Justice.
This operation resulted in the removal of 42 South African nationals, consisting of nine adult males, 18 adult females and 15 juveniles.
The juveniles removed were all part of family groups.
All individuals were removed on a chartered flight which left Dublin yesterday afternoon for South Africa.
They are due to arrive this morning, Friday 19th June 2026.
Two of the individuals removed from the State had been convicted of offences in this jurisdiction, and their removal supports ongoing operations by An Garda Síochána nationwide.
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan told The Irish Times that most South Africans living in Ireland are doing so legally.
“The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure there is public confidence in the application of our legislation in this area,” he said.
He added that the deportation cost the State an initial €735,000 and that the full costs would not be available until the invoicing has been completed.
An Garda Síochána continues to work closely with the Department of Justice in implementing immigration policy and the Irish Prison Service in the implementation of these operations.