Issue Date: 18/10/2026
Today, Sunday 18th October 2026, the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) carried out an operation removing individuals from the State on foot of EU Removal Orders, with accompanying Exclusion Orders banning re-entry into the State for periods of up to 10 years.
This operation resulted in the removal of twenty-four (24) adult males ranging in ages from mid-twenties (20s) to mid-fifties (50s).
All persons were removed on a chartered flight which left Dublin earlier today, Sunday 18th October 2026, bound for Romania. The targeted individuals all have a criminal history in Ireland and have been convicted before the Courts and received custodial sentences.
Eighteen (18) individuals had been currently serving prison sentences and were removed directly from Irish Prison Service custody.
The remaining six (6) individuals were arrested and detained across Ireland and were lodged in custody prior to their removal today.
The removal of these twenty-four (24) 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 of sexual assault.
Operation THOR: targeting organised crime groups involved in burglaries nationwide.
Operation TÁIRGE: targeting recidivist offenders involved in organised retail crime and handling stolen property.
Operation TARA: targeting drug supply networks.
Road Safety: multiple convictions for road traffic offences, including driving while intoxicated, dangerous driving and driving without insurance.
An Garda Síochána continues to work closely with the Department of Justice in implementing immigration policy along with the Irish Prison Service in the implementation of these operations.
