Exclusive

JETTING OFF

Albanian man who abused airline staff was deported from Ireland on military jet over ‘threat of violence’ fears

• Published: 16:39, 17 Aug 2023
• Updated: 16:39, 17 Aug 2023

A MAN who abused airline staff was deported from Ireland on a military jet.

The Albanian national was escorted by armed officers from the Garda National Immigration Bureau to the plane at Baldonnel Aerodrome.

He was flown to Tirana after he was the subject of a deportation order signed by Justice Minister Helen McEntee.

The reason he was brought on the Irish Defence Forces and Irish Air Corps plane is because he had been abusive to staff and issued threats on a previous commercial flight.

One source said: “This flight is only used once a risk assessment has been completed by Gardai.

“This individual was previously abusive to people on a commercial flight and there was a concern he would cause disruption on a passenger flight.

“The military aircraft is used where there is a threat of violence and that’s why it was used on this occasion.”

The deportation order against the man had been issued in April after he failed in his asylum bid.

He then went to ground before he was arrested in Cork in June.

He was arrested by GNIB’s Evader Tracking Unit, who have responsibility for locating and arresting suspects who have been hit with deportation orders.