Five illegal migrants arrested by gardaí after ignoring deportation orders

Five people living illegally in Ireland have been arrested by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). 

The arrests were made in Dublin this morning (Thursday July 4) with assistance from local Garda units in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) West as part of Operation Fern. 

Operation Fern is an ongoing operation targeting people who are illegally residing in the State and are the subject of Deportation Orders. 

All five arrested people are currently in custody pending deportation from the State in due course. 

Speaking this morning following the operation, Detective Chief Superintendent Aidan Minnock said, "This morning’s operation was part of Operation Fern, which is a nationwide operation targeting persons subject to Deportation Orders. A Deportation Order is an order from the Minister for Justice to leave the State. 

"Prior to GNIB receiving these Deportation Orders, there has been significant engagement with each person by the Department of Justice, which includes the offer of a supported voluntary return package to their country of origin. Persons subject to Deportation Orders have declined supported voluntary return, and are now illegal in the State. 

"Today’s operation, under Operation Fern, is part of GNIB’s focus to arrest persons subject to Deportation Orders and who are illegal in the State." 

Figures released by Minister Helen McEntee following a parliamentary request by Aontú's Peadar Toibín revealed that just 317 out of 948 people issued deportation orders in 2023 left the State. 

Two hundred and thirteen of these were voluntary returns, while the GNIB enforced 80. 

Over 600 people who were issued deportation orders last year have remained in the State.