The Ireland deportation of South Africans continued as the Republic of Ireland removed 42 South African nationals found to be living in the country without legal status.
According to reports by The Irish Times, the group included nine men, 18 women, and 15 children. Authorities flew them from Dublin to Johannesburg on a chartered flight on Thursday, with their arrival recorded on Friday morning.
Irish officials confirmed that the children travelled with their families during the deportation exercise. The group departed through Dublin Airport as part of the government’s immigration enforcement measures.
The Ireland deportation of South Africans also involved two individuals who had criminal convictions in Ireland, according to reports published on June 19, 2026.
Ireland’s Justice Minister, Jim O’Callaghan, said most South Africans living in the country comply with immigration laws. He stressed that Ireland must maintain a strong, rules-based immigration system.
O’Callaghan added that deportation remains a key enforcement tool. He said the government uses such measures to uphold immigration laws and maintain public trust in the system.
The development comes as some groups in South Africa continue to demand the removal of undocumented migrants from the country.
The groups have set June 30 as a deadline for migrants they claim are living illegally in South Africa to leave.
They also argue that foreign nationals are taking jobs that should go to South African citizens.
