Five children were among a total of 35 individuals deported to Nigeria on Wednesday in a chartered flight that departed from Dublin Airport, according to The Irish Times.

The deportation was conducted by the Garda National Immigration Bureau and involved the removal of 21 men, nine women, and five children.

The children, according to immigration officials, were part of family groups and were deported alongside adult relatives.

An Garda Síochána said in a statement that it “continues to work closely with the Department of Justice in implementing immigration policy,” adding that operations of this nature form part of their role in enforcing Irish immigration law.

This latest deportation follows the resumption of charter flights from Ireland earlier this year. In February, 32 people were deported to Georgia at a cost of €102,476, marking the first deportation carried out under a new government contract for the use of charter aircraft. That contract, signed in November 2024, was designed to expand the State’s capacity to enforce deportation orders.

In May, another 39 individuals were removed to Tbilisi under the same arrangement.

At the time of the February deportations, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan had commented on the government’s approach, stating: “If you’re seeking asylum and you’re not entitled to asylum, don’t come to Ireland.”

The Department of Justice has said that the availability of charter services has “significantly increased” the ability of An Garda Síochána to carry out removals where individuals are deemed to have no legal basis to remain in the State. (The Guardian)