By our reporter 5-6-2025
A plane carrying 35 Nigerian deportees from Ireland was forced to make an emergency landing following a midair medical incident.
The Irish government had deported the Nigerian migrants who were said to be in the country in illegally on Wednesday night. The chartered flight departed from the Dublin Airport but was soon forced to land.
However, the deportees including 21 men, nine woman and five children arrived in Lagos Thursday morning to the relief of Irish Justice Jim O’Callaghan.
“I am happy to say that the flight was able to resume its journey with all 35 returnees arriving safely.
“The flight was required to make an unscheduled stop due to a medical incident on board, but I am happy to say that the flight was able to resume its journey with all 35 returnees arriving safely in Nigeria this morning.
“I want to thank the members of An Garda Siochana and my officials for their work in conducting this successful operation.”
He added that people coming to Ireland must follow due process or they would be deported from the country.
“People coming to Ireland must follow the appropriate pathways for legal migration and these pathways must be adhered to and protected for our immigration system to work fairly and effectively.
“If a person’s application for international protection is refused and they are ordered to leave the State they must do so.
“This is the third charter operation this year. Removal operations of this nature send a clear message that there are consequences for people who remain in our country without permission and underscores this Government’s intention to protect the integrity of our immigration system.”