Ireland has deported 32 individuals to Georgia on a chartered flight, marking the first operation under a new government contract for deportation flights.
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan confirmed that the flight, arranged by the Department of Justice, departed from Dublin for Tbilisi last night and has since landed.
According to the Department, all individuals on board had received official Deportation Orders from the Irish government. They were accompanied by Gardaí, medical staff, an interpreter, and a human rights observer.
The total cost of the deportation flight was €102,476, O’Callaghan stated.
This operation is the first conducted under a contract signed last November for the provision of chartered aircraft for deportations.
“Today is a significant start in ensuring that deportation orders are enforced and part of a more effective immigration system generally. There will be further flights scheduled in the future,” O’Callaghan said.