DUBLIN — Ireland has deported 42 South African nationals who were residing in the country illegally, sending them back to Johannesburg on a chartered flight on Friday, authorities confirmed.
The deportees included nine men, 18 women, and 15 children, who were removed as part of their family units. They departed from Dublin Airport on Thursday afternoon and arrived in South Africa on Friday morning.
According to reports from The Irish Times, two of the deportees held criminal convictions in Ireland.
Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, addressed the situation, emphasizing that the vast majority of South Africans residing in the country do so legally. He stressed that the Irish immigration system must remain “rules-based and robust,” adding that enforcement actions, including deportations, are essential to maintain public confidence in existing immigration laws.
Earlier, the Government of Ireland announced new visa requirements mandating that citizens from Saint Lucia, Nicaragua, and Saint Kitts and Nevis must secure entry documents before travelling to Ireland. The immigration adjustment took effect on June 15, 2026.