Ireland has deported 42 South African nationals residing illegally in the country, using a chartered aircraft that landed in Johannesburg on Friday morning.
The enforcement action cost an initial €735,000, excluding VAT. The manifest of the flight from Dublin Airport included nine men, 18 women, and 15 children traveling as part of family units.
Authorities disclosed that two of the deported individuals held prior criminal convictions in Ireland. Legally, the Irish state categorizes South Africa as a safe country of origin.
The operation marks Ireland’s fourth major deportation charter flight this year. It follows three previous flights in 2026 that removed 130 people, including 67 European Union citizens on grounds of criminality.
“Our immigration system must be rules-based and robust,” said Irish Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan. He emphasized that the enforcement of deportation orders is essential to ensure public confidence.
The operation highlights a major expansion in Irish state removals. So far this year, officials have signed 2,108 deportation orders, building on the 4,700 orders issued throughout 2025.
Migration Minister Colm Brophy stated that while Ireland welcomes migrants, “they must enter through the various legal pathways available and abide by the laws of the State.”
The state is handling a sharp rise in asylum infrastructure pressure. Currently, about 33,000 people reside across 305 International Protection Accommodation Services centres, compared to just over 7,000 at the end of 2021.
