In a recent sweep by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), four non-EU nationals, who were previously issued deportation orders, have been detained in Dublin. This action forms part of Operation Fern, a focused effort to enforce immigration laws and manage the presence of individuals in Ireland without legal authorization.
The arrests occurred earlier this week, marking a significant step in the ongoing operations conducted by GNIB to address issues related to illegal residency. According to Detective Chief Superintendent Aidan Minnock, this recent operation is a continuation of efforts to ensure that individuals who are in the country without legal grounds are offered an opportunity to return voluntarily to their home countries. “These individuals had the option to voluntarily return but chose to stay. Consequently, the law has had to step in, leading to their pending deportation,” stated Minnock.
This enforcement comes in the wake of another similar case in July, when an individual was arrested in County Wexford and subsequently deported in August under the same operation. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to streamline and strengthen the integrity of Ireland’s immigration system.
Further changes to the system were outlined in July 2024, when the Minister for Justice announced a shift in the administrative responsibility for immigration registration from the Garda to the Department of Justice itself. This move is expected to enhance the efficiency of the registration process and allow the GNIB to focus more directly on enforcement and compliance operations.
