Ireland Deports 42 South Africans, Including 15 Children, in Chartered Flight Operation

Irish authorities have deported 42 South African nationals who were residing in the country without legal permission in a chartered immigration enforcement operation.

The deportees, comprising nine men, 18 women and 15 children, departed from Dublin Airport on Thursday and arrived in South Africa on Friday morning. Officials said all 15 children were deported as part of family units.

The operation was carried out by the Garda National Immigration Bureau after deportation orders were issued by Irish authorities. According to officials, two of the deported individuals had previous criminal convictions in Ireland.

Ireland's Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan, said the vast majority of South Africans living in Ireland are in the country legally.

He emphasized that Ireland's immigration system must remain "rules-based and robust," adding that the enforcement of deportation orders is necessary to uphold the integrity of the country's immigration laws and maintain public confidence in the system.

The deportation marks the latest in a series of chartered removal operations conducted by Irish authorities as part of efforts to enforce immigration regulations.