23 men including Sex offenders and Drug dealers Deported from Ireland to Romania, only 1.5 Million to Go.

A specially chartered flight left Dublin Airport for Bucharest in Romania yesterday – carrying 23 men who have been removed from Ireland on foot of international warrants and EU Exclusion Orders.

The men were convicted criminals with offences including drug dealing, sexual assaults, thefts, burglaries and violent assault. Four of them were registered sex offenders.

The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan confirmed the completion of a successful removal operation of 23 Romanian citizens – aged between 22 and 49 years – on grounds of criminality.

They are subject to re-entry bans – which mean they will not be able to return to Ireland for up to 10 years – and if they do – they are registered by the Gardai and can be stopped at attempted points of entry.

The Minister for Justice said the removal from the State of convicted criminals and those who are a danger to public safety has been prioritised in consultation with An Garda Síochána and the Irish Prison Service. To date this year, 22 individuals have been removed from Ireland under the Directive on commercial airlines and this latest operation brings the number of removals under the Directive to 45.

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan said: “The right to freedom of movement is among the most fundamental rights and freedoms provided to European citizens that we strive to protect. Securing this right for our citizens is one of the most important achievements of the European Union, offering people the opportunity to work, study and live in 31 European countries, and assuring their protections to do so.

“Restricting the right to freedom of movement is not a measure I take lightly, but there must be consequences if a person’s behaviour means they should no longer be entitled to access this privilege. Action will be taken if our laws are not respected and upheld and this includes enforcing removal orders and sending people home.

“Restricting the right to freedom of movement is not a measure I take lightly, but there must be consequences if a person’s behaviour means they should no longer be entitled to access this privilege. Action will be taken if our laws are not respected and upheld and this includes enforcing removal orders and sending people home.

Citizens of the European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland and their qualifying family members have the right to move and reside within these territories under conditions provided in the Free Movement Directive.

The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration can issue an order to restrict these rights and expel a person on grounds of Public Policy, Public Security or Public Health.