Completion of a charter operation to South Africa to effect deportation orders confirmed.
The Irish government has confirmed the completion of a charter operation to South Africa.
63 people, consisting of 54 adults and 9 children, have been removed from Ireland by charter flight. The children removed were part of family units.
The flight departed Dublin Airport at 5:05pm on Saturday, February 28th 2026 and landed in Johannesburg shortly after 4:00am this morning, Sunday 1, March 2026 (Irish time).
This is the second charter operation this year, and the eighth since the recommencement of charter flights to effect removals and deportation orders in 2025.
Charter flights provide an alternative to commercial flights and can be more appropriate in circumstances when a group of individuals are being removed to the same destination. Charter flights increase the options available to An Garda Síochána to effect orders.
The returnees were accompanied on the flight by members of An Garda Síochána, medical staff, an interpreter and a human rights observer.
Further charter operations will be conducted throughout 2026.
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