Operation Fern and Increased Deportations

Under Operation Fern, a total of 132 individuals illegally residing in Ireland were deported this year. The Gardaí, Ireland’s national police service, will now use chartered flights to increase the number of deportations. This method is expected to be more efficient, particularly for deporting groups of people to the same destination. The use of charter flights is seen as a practical solution to manage the logistics of deporting larger groups, which can be challenging with commercial flights.

Government’s Plan and Support

Justice Minister Helen McEntee has confirmed that the government has put out a tender to assess the market’s capacity for chartered flights. The aim is to have an arrangement in place to run these flights later in the year. Smaller planes may also be used for individuals deemed dangerous and requiring Garda accompaniment. The government has not disclosed the cost of these flights, citing commercial sensitivity. The number of people deported via charter flights will depend on operational necessities, safety factors, cost-benefit analyses, destination, and aircraft type.

Fianna Fáil spokesperson on justice, Jim O’Callaghan, supports this plan, emphasising that the international protection system must have practical consequences for those who fail their applications. He argues that it is unfair to allow individuals who have failed the legal process to remain in the country, undermining the system’s integrity. O’Callaghan believes that enforcing deportation orders is essential to maintaining public confidence in the immigration system.

No Such Thing as ‘Unvetted Migrant’

In response to concerns about the vetting of migrants, Detective Chief Superintendent Aidan Minnock of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) has stated that there is no such thing as an “unvetted migrant” in Ireland. Every individual seeking international protection is fingerprinted and identified. Claims that asylum seekers are criminals posing a threat to public safety have been rejected, with the majority being economic migrants seeking better opportunities. Minnock emphasised that the GNIB conducts thorough checks on all individuals entering the country, ensuring that those with criminal records are detained and monitored before deportation.

Organised Crime and Migrant Exploitation

However, Minnock acknowledged the presence of organised crime groups from Albania, Romania, and China involved in drug dealing, car theft, exploitation, and people smuggling in Ireland. These groups exploit legitimate businesses and vulnerable individuals, imposing significant debts on migrants and forcing them into criminal activities. The GNIB has identified networks of smaller groups specialising in different areas of criminal enterprise, such as advertising, cybercrime, finances, and the production of forged documents. Legitimate businesses, including haulage companies and airline staff, are also being exploited to facilitate these criminal activities.

Significant Increase in Asylum Seekers

Ireland has seen a significant increase in the number of people seeking international protection, rising from 13,000 in 2023 to over 21,000 in the past year. The GNIB has emphasised that any person identified as a threat to the state is detained and monitored before deportation. The increase in asylum seekers has put additional pressure on the immigration system, prompting the government to explore more efficient methods of managing deportations.

Details of the Charter Flights

The charter flights will begin later this year, with each flight carrying between 20 and 30 people. The government has not disclosed the cost of these flights, citing commercial sensitivity. The number of people deported via charter flights will depend on operational necessities, safety factors, cost-benefit analyses, destination, and aircraft type. The Department of Justice has stated that this method of deportation has been used in the past and is also employed by other EU member states. In addition to charter flights, commercial flights will continue to be used for deportations.

The Department of Justice has also added two extra countries, Botswana and Algeria, to the “safe” list, bringing the total to ten countries. This list includes Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Georgia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Serbia, and South Africa. The inclusion of these countries on the safe list means that individuals from these nations are less likely to be granted asylum, as they are considered to be generally safe.

July witnessed an unprecedented enforcement with approximately 2,000 doorstep operations conducted by the Border Management Unit in collaboration with the Garda National Immigration Unit. This marked a sharp increase in the airport’s security measures, affecting around 6.5% of all incoming flights. The heightened scrutiny underscores Ireland’s commitment to maintaining stringent entry protocols.

The initiative follows revelations from last year that an alarming 40% of asylum applicants had either misplaced or deliberately destroyed their travel documents prior to undergoing immigration checks. This tactic, officials suggest, is employed by some entrants to aid their asylum claims by arriving without identifiable paperwork. The doorstep checks are strategically placed at the jet bridges, serving as a preliminary barrier to catch such attempts before the individuals can discard their documentation.

During the first seven months of 2024 alone, over 4,500 flights underwent these rigorous inspections upon arrival in Dublin, doubling down on efforts to ensure that every individual entering the country is appropriately documented. The strategic placement of these checks aims to intercept those who may attempt to dispose of their passports post-flight but pre-immigration, effectively reducing the incidence of undocumented entries.

Authorities are keen on these operations not just as a deterrent but as a necessary step to uphold the integrity of the nation’s immigration laws. The operations also help in accurately assessing the volume of arrivals and their eligibility for entry based on valid travel documents, thereby streamlining the processing at immigration control points.

While these measures have led to some delays and additional waiting times for passengers, the overall feedback from the public has been understanding of the necessity for such security enhancements. The operations are seen as crucial to safeguarding the nation’s borders against illegal entry and ensuring that the asylum process is used as intended by genuine refugees and not exploited.

As Ireland continues to adapt its border management strategies, these enhanced checks are likely to become a more regular feature at Dublin Airport, reflecting the country’s proactive stance on national security and immigration control.

Coolock Protest Draws Large Crowd

Approximately 500 people assembled at the site, expressing their opposition to the plans to house around 500 international protection applicants. The protestors marched to Coolock Garda station, which had recently been targeted by a violent mob, to deliver a letter of protest concerning the local policing efforts.

Social Media Mobilization and Far-Right Agitation

The call for the protest was heavily circulated on social media over the past two days, with organizers and far-right agitators aiming to attract a substantial crowd to Malahide Road. The significant turnout reflected the heightened tensions and strong opinions surrounding the issue of accommodating asylum seekers in the area.

Garda Preparedness for Potential Violence

In anticipation of potential unrest, Garda sources confirmed that substantial resources were allocated to manage the situation. The Public Order Unit was on standby to address any outbreaks of violence at the protest site. This extensive Garda operation highlights the authorities’ readiness to handle any eventualities and ensure public safety amidst the heightened tensions in Coolock.

Focus on Public Safety and Community Concerns

The Coolock protest underscores the broader issues of community response to asylum seeker accommodation and the challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining order during such events. The mobilization via social media and the involvement of far-right elements add complexity to the situation, reflecting the polarized views within the community.

As Dublin continues to navigate the intricacies of immigration and public safety, the events in Coolock serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing debates and the need for effective communication and resolution strategies.

The incident at Dublin’s Grand Canal, where tents occupied by asylum seekers were set on fire, highlights the vulnerability of these individuals. Many are fleeing conflict and persecution, only to face hostility and violence in Ireland. The government has repeatedly cleared tent encampments, only for them to reappear, reflecting the desperate need for more sustainable housing solutions.

Ireland has seen a significant influx of migrants, with over 20,000 asylum applications expected this year, up from 12,300 in 2023. The situation has been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, which has brought over 100,000 Ukrainian refugees to Ireland. The country’s capacity to house these individuals is stretched thin, leading to makeshift tent cities and heightened tensions.

Anti-immigrant protests and attacks have become more frequent, with slogans like “Ireland is full” gaining traction. Such sentiments were reflected in a recent poll showing 63% of the population favor stricter immigration policies. This hostile environment is perilous for asylum seekers, who often find themselves without basic amenities or protection.

The Tánaiste emphasized the need for a more coordinated effort to address this crisis, urging for enhanced safety measures and faster processing of asylum applications. The government’s current approach involves moving asylum seekers to emergency shelters, but these measures are temporary and insufficient for the growing numbers.

In addition to the immediate threat of violence, the broader context of the UK’s Rwanda Act has influenced migration patterns. Asylum seekers are increasingly crossing into Ireland from Northern Ireland to avoid deportation under the new UK policy. This adds another layer of complexity to Ireland’s immigration challenges, as the country navigates the implications of Brexit and its own humanitarian commitments.