The 21 men, nine women and five children, left on a chartered flight which departed Dublin Airport last night for Nigeria.

The children were all part of family groups.

It is the third operation conducted since the recommencement of charter flights for deportations in February.

The Department of Justice said further charter operations will be carried out throughout the year.

Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said Ireland has a rules-based immigration system and it is important that those rules are enforced.

“People coming to Ireland must follow the appropriate pathways for legal migration and these pathways must be adhered to and protected for our immigration system to work fairly and effectively,” the minister said.

“If a person’s application for international protection is refused and they are ordered to leave the State they must do so.”

Minister O’Callaghan said removal operations of this nature “send a clear message” that there are “consequences for people who remain in our country without permission”.

He said that while the flight had to make an unscheduled stop due to a medical incident on board, it was able to resume its journey and all 35 returnees arrived in Nigeria this morning.

The minister said enforced removals are a “measure of last resort” when the person concerned has not left the State themselves or availed of assisted voluntary return measures.

“There has been a significant increase in the number of people leaving voluntarily and I continue to appeal to those who are given this opportunity to avail of it where appropriate,” he added.

“Two charter flights already conducted this year have removed 71 people who were subject to deportation orders. This operation brings the number of people removed by charter flight to 106.

“Additionally, 54 deportation orders have been enforced on commercial flights and 23 people subject to deportation orders are confirmed to have left Ireland unescorted so far in 2025.”

Minister for Migration Colm Brophy said that having a “modern immigration system” where the laws are effective and enforced “is a key priority” for the Government.

“The removal of people who have no legal right to be in the State, and the enforcement aspect of our immigration laws, are essential for the system to work effectively,” he said, adding that 694 people have availed of the voluntary return programme so far this year.

The Department of Justice said 2,403 deportation orders were signed in 2024, an increase of 180% compared to 2023.

It said 1,940 deportation orders have been signed this year and 888 have departed the State under various mechanisms.

Credit RTE.