Issue Date: 24/05/2026
Today, Sunday 24th May 2026, the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) of An Garda Síochána carried out an operation removing individuals from the State on foot of EU Removal Orders, with Exclusion Orders issued banning re-entry into the State for up to periods of 5 to 10 years.
This operation resulted in the removal of thirty-four (34) adult males ranging in ages from mid-twenties (20s) to mid-sixties (60s). All individuals were removed on a chartered flight which left Dublin earlier today, Sunday 24th May for Poland and onwards to Lithuania.
The targeted individuals are twenty-two (22) Polish Nationals and twelve (12) Lithuanian Nationals who have a criminal history in Ireland and have been convicted before the courts and received custodial sentences for their crimes.
Twenty-five (25) individuals had been currently serving prison sentences and were removed directly from Irish Prison Service custody. The other nine (9) individuals were arrested and detained from communities across Ireland and were lodged in prison prior to their removal today.
The removal of these 34 individuals, all convicted of offences in this jurisdiction, supports ongoing operations by An Garda Síochána nationwide including:
• Operation Moonridge; targeting sex offenders, domestic violence offenders, for offences including rape, sexual assault, and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM)
• Operation Táirge; targeting recidivist offenders involved in organised retail crime and handling stolen property
• Operation Tara; targeting drug networks involved in sale, supply, importation and cultivation of controlled drugs
• Operation Thor; targeting organised crime gangs involved in burglary offences nationwide
• Road Safety; multiple convictions for road traffic offences including dangerous driving, driving while intoxicated and no insurance
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.
