Ireland deports 35 Nigerians in 1st African-bound charter flight of 2025 – Converseer

DUBLIN (CONVERSEER) – Ireland’s immigration authorities have deported 35 Nigerian nationals, including women and children, in the country’s first charter flight to Africa this year.

The deportation, which took place on 4th June 2025, was part of Ireland’s effort to enforce its immigration rules.

Officials confirmed that the group – made up of family units, was returned via a chartered flight that departed Dublin Airport and landed safely in Nigeria after a brief unscheduled stop prompted by a medical situation onboard.

The operation reinforces Ireland’s stance on legal migration and the consequences of remaining in the country without permission.

This marks the third charter deportation operation by Ireland this year and, notably, the first flight directed to the African continent. The move is part of Ireland’s ongoing effort to reinforce its rules-based immigration system.

Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, emphasised the importance of maintaining immigration integrity.

He stated that people whose asylum applications are rejected must follow deportation orders, emphasising that such operations highlight the serious consequences of staying in Ireland without legal permission and help uphold fairness in the immigration system.

The Minister further stressed that lawful migration routes must be respected for the system to function justly, reinforcing the government’s message on the importance of following proper immigration procedures.