Ireland has completed the removal of 24 Romanian nationals by charter flight following enforcement action linked to criminality, according to a gov.ie press release. The operation was carried out under Ireland’s rules implementing the European Union Free Movement Directive.
Gov.ie confirms charter-flight removal operation
The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration said the 24 Romanian men, aged between 24 and 57, were removed from the State on 18 October 2026. The flight departed Dublin Airport at 4.25pm and arrived in Bucharest at 8pm Irish time.
According to the department, each individual had served a custodial sentence for criminal offences. Re-entry bans of up to 10 years were also imposed, preventing those affected from returning to Ireland during the specified period.
The operation involved cooperation between the department, An Garda Síochána and the Irish Prison Service. Garda personnel, medical staff, interpreters and a human rights observer accompanied the returnees.
Legal basis for removing EU citizens
EU, European Economic Area and Swiss citizens generally have rights to move and reside within the relevant territories. However, the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015 allow removal or exclusion orders where a person’s conduct represents a genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat to public policy, public security or public health.
A removal order requires a person to leave Ireland, while an exclusion order can impose a re-entry ban for a defined period of up to 10 years. The government said these powers are applied to individual cases and are not directed at Romanian nationals generally.
2026 removal figures and operational costs
The Department of Justice stated that 148 people had been removed under the Free Movement Directive in 2026 up to and including this operation. Separately, seven charter flights carried out during the year had removed 245 people in total, including 91 EU citizens removed on grounds of criminality.
The aircraft provision cost €182,270 excluding VAT for the one-way/return charter arrangement. The service is supplied by Air Partner Ltd under a contract signed in November 2024 following a competitive procurement process.
Minister stresses public safety and legal compliance
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said restricting free movement is a serious step, but argued that criminal conduct can lead to loss of the privilege to remain in the State. Minister of State Colm Brophy also said that people living in Ireland must respect Irish law, while acknowledging the contribution made by the majority of Romanian residents.
The department’s figures show that six charter operations in 2025 removed 205 people. Five involved non-EU destinations and deportation orders, while one removed 23 EU citizens on grounds of criminality.
What the announcement means
- Twenty-four Romanian nationals were removed by charter flight to Bucharest.
- Each had previously served a custodial sentence for criminal offences.
- Re-entry bans of up to 10 years were applied.
- The operation involved An Garda Síochána, the Irish Prison Service and independent human-rights oversight.
- The enforcement figures relate to individual public-policy and public-security decisions under Irish law.
Key takeaway
The gov.ie announcement highlights Ireland’s continued use of removal orders and charter flights where authorities determine that an EU citizen presents a serious threat under the Free Movement Directive. The process combines immigration enforcement, policing, medical support and human-rights monitoring, while the department emphasises that decisions concern individual conduct rather than nationality.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
