JUSTICE MINISTER JIM O’Callaghan has announced that 22 Polish and 12 Lithuanian men have been deported on a charter flight.

The 34 men, who ranged in age from mid-20s to mid-60s, had received custodial sentences for a range of criminal offences.

O’Callaghan said removal orders were enforced in respect of the men in accordance with the Free Movement Directive. 

Re-entry bans of up to ten years have also been applied to prevent their return to Ireland.

The charter flight departed Dublin Airport today and landed in Warsaw, Poland at approximately 3.45pm (Irish time) before arriving in Vilnius at around 5.50pm Irish time. 

The operation was conducted with An Garda Síochána and the Irish Prison Service. 

Garda personnel, medical staff, interpreters and a human rights observer accompanied the returnees on the flight.

The Department said the cost of the aircraft for the operation was €184,465 excluding VAT.

It brings the total number of people removed under the Free Movement Directive so far this year to 67. Last year, 56 people were removed from Ireland under the directive. 

“European citizens have the right to freedom of movement,” O’Callaghan said.

“Restricting this right is not something I take lightly, but there must be consequences for people whose behaviour means they should no longer enjoy this privilege.

“I will take action if our laws are not upheld. This includes enforcing removal orders for people involved in criminality and for those who pose a danger to society. Today’s operation underpins my commitment in this area.”

He added: “I want to acknowledge that the vast majority of Polish and Lithuanian nationals resident in the State respect our laws, and are valuable members of our society.

O’Callaghan thanked gardaí and Department officials for their work in completing the operation. 

A garda spokesperson said 25 of the men were currently serving prison sentences and were removed directly from Irish Prison Service custody.

The other nine were arrested and detained from communities across the country and were lodged in prison before being deported today.

They said the removal supports ongoing garda operations, including those targeting sex offenders, domestic violence offenders, recidivist offenders involved in organised retail crime, drug networks involved in sale or supply, organised crime gangs involved in burglary offences nationwide, and those with multiple road traffic offences. 

“An Garda Síochána continues to work closely with the Department of Justice in implementing immigration policy and the Irish Prison Service in the implementation of these operations,” the spokesperson said.