IRELAND DEPORTS 42 SOUTH AFRICANS AMID NEW STRICTER IMMIGRATION RULES
Ireland has deported 42 South African nationals who were found to be living in the country illegally, with all of them arriving in Johannesburg on Friday aboard a chartered flight.
The group consisted of nine men, 18 women, and 15 children, with the minors deported alongside their families as units. They had departed Dublin Airport on Thursday afternoon before landing in South Africa the following morning.
Reports from The Irish Times on June 19, 2026, also revealed that two of the deported individuals had prior criminal convictions while residing in Ireland.
Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, commented that while most South Africans in the country are living there legally, the government remains committed to enforcing immigration laws.
He stressed that the Irish immigration system must stay “rules-based and robust”, adding that deportations and other enforcement measures are necessary to maintain order and public confidence in the system.
In a related development, Ireland has also announced updated visa rules affecting travellers from selected countries.
Under the new policy, citizens of Saint Lucia, Nicaragua, and Saint Kitts and Nevis will now be required to obtain a visa before entering Ireland. The changes officially took effect on June 15, 2026.
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