Gardaí deport 42 people as part of operation targeting Brazilian nationals

Kenneth Fox

Gardaí say they have deported 42 people from the state as part of a targeted operation focusing on the removal of Brazilian nationals.

The operation took place over a two-month period in June and July.

They worked closely with the Department of Justice to identify, target and remove illegally resident Brazilians Nationals from the State, either on a voluntary return basis or by enforcement of a deportation order.

Out of the 42 people, 15 of them were serving custodial sentences. Meanwhile, 62 people were involved in voluntary returns from the State.

Gardaí said since this operation there has been an increase in engagement with the Voluntary Return process with nearly 100 new applicants since the start of the operation.

As part of the operational planning and investigative actions, GNIB have confirmed that a large number of persons who are recorded as holding valid deportation orders within the State, are no longer resident in the State and are likely to have returned to Brazil.

The GNIB continue to make enquiries on these deportation orders to establish the whereabouts of these persons.

It was an extensive operation incorporating operational searches and targeted operations undertaken by the GNIB.

Detective chief superintendent Aidan Minnock, Head of the Garda National Immigration Bureau said: "This GNIB led operation targeting the removal of Brazilian nationals who are illegal in the State over the past two months demonstrates An Garda Síochána's ongoing commitment to remove persons who are illegal in the State.

"This operation follows on other recent operations where persons illegal in the state were subject of deportation on charter flights. The GNIB will continue this work, engaging with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that persons subject of immigration requirements are compliant and removed from the state where necessary.”