On Thursday night, three women and one kid were among those deported to Georgia on a chartered aeroplane, reports RTE.
Under a contract the State negotiated late last year to provide charter planes for deportations, this is the first deportation operation.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan stated on social media that the flight departed Dublin for Tbilisi, Georgia, “with 32 people who had previously received deportation orders,” reports RTE.
According to him, “the people are back safely in Georgia” after the plane touched down.
According to a Garda SÃochána, three women, 28 men, and one kid were deported; the youngster was a member of a family group consisting of a mother, father, and child, reports RTE.
A human rights observer, medical personnel, gardaÃ, and an interpreter accompanied the passengers on the aircraft.
Minister O’Callaghan stated on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that the 32 individuals were in the State illegally and had previously received deportation orders.
“If you’re seeking asylum and you’re not entitled to asylum – don’t come to Ireland,” he said, reports RTE.
In a statement, the Department of Justice said: “A contract was signed in November last year for the provision of charter aircraft for deportation operation purposes. Enforced removals are carried out as a measure of last resort when the person concerned has not removed themselves from the State or availed of assisted voluntary return measures,” reports RTE.
Mr O’Callaghan said: “When a person’s application for International Protection is refused or they are found to have no permission to be in the State, they are offered assistance to return home voluntarily. However, when this option is not availed of, they are liable to be deported by the Garda National Immigration Bureau,” reports RTE.
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