<p>Irish authorities have deported 42 South African nationals to Johannesburg in the latest operation aimed at enforcing the country's immigration regulations.</p><p>The group, made up of nine men, 18 women, and 15 children, departed Dublin aboard a specially chartered flight on Thursday, June 18, arriving in South Africa early Friday morning. Irish officials confirmed that all of the children were travelling as part of family units and were not deported separately.</p><p>The operation was coordinated by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) in collaboration with Ireland's Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. According to the department, all individuals on board had previously been issued deportation orders after exhausting legal avenues to remain in the country.</p><p>Irish Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan described the deportation as part of maintaining a "rules-based and robust" immigration system. He stressed that while the majority of South African nationals living in Ireland do so legally and contribute positively to society, authorities must enforce immigration laws where individuals no longer have legal permission to remain in the country.</p><p>The chartered flight reportedly cost approximately €735,000, excluding VAT, though officials noted that the final cost of the operation has yet to be determined.</p><p>Authorities also disclosed that two of the deportees had criminal convictions in Ireland. The removals formed part of broader immigration enforcement measures being pursued by the Irish government.</p><p>The latest flight marks Ireland's fourth charter deportation operation of 2026. Earlier operations this year resulted in the removal of 130 individuals, including several European Union nationals who were deported on grounds of criminality.</p><p>Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy reiterated that Ireland remains welcoming to migrants who enter the country through lawful channels, but emphasized that immigration laws must be respected and enforced to maintain public confidence in the system.</p><p>Irish authorities have indicated that additional deportation operations are expected in the coming months as part of ongoing immigration enforcement efforts.</p>