Book Offer
This will close in 10 seconds
Four non-EU nationals have been arrested by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) in Dublin after refusing to leave the State voluntarily.
The arrests took place between the 2nd and 3rd of September this week, and “all four [individuals] are currently in custody pending deportation from the State in due course,” Detective Chief Superintendent Aidan Minnock said.
“In the past week the Garda National Immigration Bureau have conducted a number of operations under Operation Fern to remove persons from the State subject to deportation orders.
“These persons declined the opportunity to avail of voluntary return to their country of origin, following significant engagement with the Department of Justice. Having declined voluntary return they were issued with a deportation order, and are now in custody pending removal from the State.”
Minnock added: “These operations illustrates GNIB ongoing capacity to, where necessary, take action to remove person from the State who no longer have authority to remain.”
The arrests were part of the ongoing Operation Fern – an ongoing nationwide operation “targeting persons subject to Deportation Orders,” according to Gardaí.
Separately, under this same operation, one male – also a non-EU national – was arrested in Wexford, and was subsequently deported from the State in August 2024.
Prior to GNIB receiving a deportation orders, there is “significant engagement with the Department of Justice around the opportunity to avail of voluntary return”. If this opportunity is not availed of, the Gardaí step in.
“An Garda Síochána, through the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) and Divisional Immigration Officers, provide immigration services for the Department of Justice,” the GNIB said.
“In July 2024 The Minister for Justice announced that the Department of Justice will take over the immigration registration (administrative) function from An Garda Síochána. The transfer of administrative immigration duties will relieve up to 100 existing Garda Immigration officers of those administrative duties to concentrate on investigative and enforcement immigration duties, within their divisions.”
This will close in 10 seconds