Ireland has deported 35 Nigerian nationals after they were found to have broken immigration rules. The announcement came from the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), which was in charge of the removal.

Out of the 35 people sent back, nine were women and five were children. Authorities said the children were traveling with their families.

A special flight was arranged to carry the group from Dublin Airport on the night of Wednesday, June 4, 2025. The flight was headed directly to Nigeria.

This marks the third time this year that Ireland has used a charter flight to deport people. According to Irish Legal News, it’s also the first deportation flight to Africa in 2025. Ireland began using private flights for deportations in February.

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan emphasised the importance of enforcing immigration laws, stating: “Ireland has a rules-based immigration system. It is important that those rules are robust and enforced. The return of people whose applications have been refused and deportation orders have issued is the foundation of any modern rules-based immigration process.”

Officials reminded the public that anyone who wants to live in Ireland must go through the correct legal steps.

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

Speaking on the operation, Minister James O’Callaghan said this was the third deportation flight of the year. He explained that the government is serious about removing people who stay in the country illegally and wants to protect the immigration system.

During the journey, the flight had to stop because someone onboard had a medical emergency.

O’Callaghan later said the medical issue was handled, and the flight continued. All 35 people arrived safely in Nigeria on Thursday morning.