The Irish Government has confirmed the deportation of six Nigerian nationals, following a coordinated return operation involving Irish authorities and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex.
The six men, all aged between 25 and 40, were removed from Ireland on a charter flight from Dublin Airport to Rome before joining a Frontex-managed flight to Lagos, Nigeria.
The Dublin flight departed at 7:40 a.m. and arrived in Rome at 10:34 a.m. Irish time. The onward flight left Rome shortly after 1:00 p.m. and landed in Lagos at approximately 9:00 p.m.
According to the Government, deportation orders had been issued against all six individuals. Five of the men had accumulated a combined total of 35 criminal convictions and had received sentences for a range of offences.
Officials said the operation formed part of ongoing efforts to enforce immigration laws, remove individuals involved in criminal activity and maintain public confidence in Ireland’s immigration system.
The Government also highlighted the operational and financial benefits of working with Frontex and other European partners on joint return operations.
Members of An Garda Síochána accompanied the deportees, alongside medical personnel, an interpreter and an independent human rights observer.
The aircraft used for the Irish stage of the operation cost €76,895, excluding VAT.
Further charter deportation operations are expected to take place throughout 2026.
Parents and guardians across Ireland are being urged to speak to their children about dangerous online networks that manipulate young people into harming themselves, committing violence or producing sexually explicit material.
Irish cases connected to this disturbing online culture have reportedly been referred to Tusla, while An Garda Síochána has participated in an Europol operation targeting a network known as “The Com.” One of the best-known groups associated with this network is called “764.”
These are not necessarily organised groups with easily identifiable members. They operate through changing usernames, private chats and online communities. Children may encounter those involved through social media, messaging services or online games. Gardaí have specifically warned that individuals associated with groups such as 764 may encourage or pressure children to commit crimes, self-harm or adopt violent and radicalised beliefs. The manipulation can begin with friendship, attention or a shared interest. An offender may then obtain private information or intimate images and use threats, humiliation or blackmail to control the child. Demands can escalate into self-harm, violence, cruelty towards animals or abuse of another person.
Warning signs for parents – Watch for sudden changes such as: Secretive online activity or several new accounts. Panic when a phone or gaming device is removed. Messages from unknown people at unusual hours. Unexplained injuries, self-harm or violent behaviour. Threats involving private photographs or personal information. A child being instructed to record, photograph or livestream something. Sudden withdrawal, fear, shame or extreme anxiety. The above signs do not necessarily prove that a child is involved, but they should never be ignored.
What parents should do. Have a calm conversation rather than immediately blaming or punishing the child. Make it clear that they will not be in trouble for telling you what has happened. Do not confront suspected offenders yourself. Preserve usernames, messages, dates and links where it is safe to do so. Do not download, copy or forward sexual images involving anyone under 18. Report an immediate threat to life or safety by calling 999 or 112. Other suspected criminal activity should be reported to your local Garda station.
Suspected illegal online material, sexual exploitation or sexual blackmail can also be reported confidentially and where appropriate anonymously, through Hotline.ie latter who has reported a sharp increase in sexual material created by children themselves, demonstrating why regular, non-judgmental conversations about images, privacy and online pressure are essential.
The most important message for every child is: No online threat is too serious to tell a trusted adult about. Images can be reported, accounts can be blocked and help is available. They do not have to obey the person threatening them.
Please share this warning with other Irish parents, schools, clubs and youth organisations. Awareness and early intervention could protect a child from serious harm.
Tipperary Firefighters responding to the major wildfire on Slievenamon mountain returned to Cahir, to discover that vehicles belonging to crew members had allegedly been broken into and damaged.
The incidents occurred on Barrack Street, in Cahir, Co Tipperary, during the early hours of Saturday morning, while local crews were continuing their prolonged effort to control the mountain fire. Tools, personal possessions and equipment used by some of the firefighters in their everyday work were reported stolen. Several cars, vans and jeeps were also damaged.
Gardaí are investigating a number of incidents of theft and criminal damage involving vehicles parked on Barrack Street between 12.30am and 1.30am on Saturday, 25 July. A technical examination of the area has been carried out. Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity or travelled through the vicinity during that period is being asked to contact Cahir Gardaí.
Investigators are particularly interested in footage from dash cams or other recording devices.
The incident is considered as deeply demoralising for firefighters who had spent days away from their families battling the Slievenamon blaze. These selfless individuals haven’t been home to their families for days, while selfish disgusting lowlifes have taken advantage of them.
A fundraising page has since been established to support the firefighters affected by the thefts and help replace stolen equipment and damaged property. The break-ins happened as emergency crews continued to tackle flare-ups and hotspots across Slievenamon. Tipperary Fire and Rescue Service reported another difficult period on Saturday, with renewed fire activity on the mountain’s southern side, following an earlier reduction in intensity.
Ground operations were intensified today, Sunday, as crews responded to flare-ups and monitored the wider affected area. Specialist equipment has been deployed to help firefighters operate across the mountain’s challenging terrain.
A coordinated, multi-agency operation remains in place to contain the fire and prevent further spreading or reignition. Smoke may remain visible at times, particularly on the eastern side of Slievenamon. Residents, especially people with respiratory conditions, have been advised to take appropriate precautions when necessary.
The public is also being urged to remain clear of the affected areas and avoid interfering with emergency operations.
206 New Gardaí Join the Ranks as Recruitment Drive Builds Momentum.
An Garda Síochána has received a major personnel boost following the attestation of 206 new members at the Garda College in Templemore.
The graduating class, comprising 142 men and 64 women, is the largest single group of Gardaí to attest since 2019. It is also the third attestation ceremony held in 2026, reflecting the continued expansion of recruitment and training activity at the college.
Following their graduation, the probationer Gardaí will be assigned by the Garda Commissioner to divisions throughout the country. Their deployment is expected to strengthen frontline policing, increase visibility in communities and provide additional operational capacity during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Almost half of the new members will again serve in the capital. A total of 94 probationer Gardaí have been allocated to the Dublin Metropolitan Region. The Eastern Region will receive 56 members, while 31 will be deployed to the North-Western Region and 25 to the Southern Region.
The new Gardaí will begin their careers at a time when policing responsibilities are becoming increasingly complex. Alongside traditional community and frontline duties, members must respond to organised crime, cybercrime, online offending and evolving national and international security threats. Ireland’s EU Presidency will create further operational demands, with Garda personnel responsible for supporting the security and smooth running of meetings and official events. Extensive planning and coordination have already taken place, and the additional members will help ensure that regular policing services can be maintained while these responsibilities are delivered.
The latest graduation represents another step in the Government’s plan to increase the strength of An Garda Síochána. Three recruitment competitions have taken place during the past 18 months, attracting more than 15,000 applications. The training pipeline is also set to continue growing. More than 200 additional trainees are due to enter the Garda College during the week beginning 27th July, with further classes expected to commence at regular intervals throughout the year.
Budget 2026 provided more than €2.74 billion for An Garda Síochána. The funding supports the recruitment of sworn members and civilian staff, as well as investment in training, technology, equipment and other resources required to deliver modern policing services.
Following the latest attestation, An Garda Síochána has 14,733 sworn members. The organisation also includes 3,683 Garda staff and 304 Garda Reserve members, while another 604 trainees are progressing through their education and training.
The arrival of the 206 probationer Gardaí will provide an immediate increase in personnel across Ireland’s policing regions. Their deployment will also support the wider objective of building a larger and more sustainable Garda workforce capable of meeting the changing safety and security needs of communities throughout the country.
The Local Authority Waters Programme, commonly known as LAWPRO, has now officially become the River Basin Management Service, marking a new chapter in the organisation’s work to protect and restore water quality across Ireland.
The service works on behalf of Ireland’s 31 local authorities and is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. It supports the protection of rivers, lakes, estuaries, groundwater and coastal waters through scientific catchment assessments, community engagement and coordinated local-authority action. Although the organisation has adopted a new name and visual identity, its mission, structure and responsibilities remain unchanged. The new title is intended to provide a clearer description of its role in supporting Ireland’s national water-quality objectives and the implementation of river basin management plans.
Established in 2016, the organisation has worked with local authorities, government agencies, farmers, landowners, volunteers, environmental organisations and community groups to identify pressures affecting water quality and develop suitable local responses.
Unsatisfactory state of the River Suir, in Thurles town centre, yesterday. Pic; G. Willoughby.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Mr James Browne, TD, welcomed the announcement. He said the new name reflects the organisation’s important role in coordinating and supporting the protection and restoration of water bodies as Ireland prepares its next Water Action Plan. The River Basin Management Service will continue carrying out catchment-science assessments, helping local authorities implement national water policy and providing financial assistance to community organisations working to improve their local waters.
Community participation has been central to the organisation’s activities. Since its establishment, approximately €7.5 million has been awarded to 1,208 projects through the Community Water Development Fund and Catchment Support Fund. Further support has been provided through the Small Grants and Events Scheme and annual Heritage Week funding. These programmes enable communities to organise water-awareness events, citizen-science initiatives, biodiversity projects, environmental surveys and other activities that benefit local rivers, lakes and coastal areas. The organisation’s work is particularly relevant to communities along the River Suir, including Thurles, where residents have raised concerns about declining water quality, excessive aquatic vegetation and changes affecting fish and other wildlife.
At a public meeting in County Tipperary in November 2025, attendees highlighted concerns about the River Suir from Thurles upstream. Issues discussed included nutrient pollution, excessive weed growth and reductions in fish and aquatic life. The meeting also heard that scientific assessments were being conducted across the wider Suir catchment to identify the main pressures affecting its waters.
Despite all the talking, no serious effort by Tipperary Co. Council to halt effluent flowing from drainage pipes, easily visible from Thurles Town centre.
Such assessments demonstrate the importance of combining scientific evidence with local knowledge. Information from residents, anglers, farmers and community groups can help specialists understand changes within a river and determine which measures are most likely to improve its ecological condition.
Mr Anthony Coleman, Director of Services at the River Basin Management Service, confirmed that the organisation will continue operating as the same local-authority shared service. Its work will remain focused on catchment science, community engagement, partnership development, funding support and collaborative action. The service will maintain a science-led approach to identifying environmental pressures and targeting solutions. Its specialists examine water bodies and surrounding landscapes to establish which activities may be affecting water quality and where intervention is most urgently needed.
It will also continue developing its Nature-based Solutions programme and the Blue Dot Catchments Programme, which supports the protection of Ireland’s highest-quality waters. In addition, it will coordinate the Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership and expand training programmes for local-authority staff.
By adopting the Local Government Ireland identity, the River Basin Management Service is strengthening its connection with the local-government sector and aligning itself with other shared services. While its name has changed, its central commitment remains the same; bringing together science, local authorities and communities to protect Ireland’s waters and create healthier catchments for future generations.
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