Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan intends to continue his 'very serious' approach to deportations

The Justice Minister said he will continue a serious approach toward non-Irish nationals who commit serious criminal offences in Ireland, following the deportation of 34 men. The deported individuals had been convicted of serious criminal offences. The Minister said EU citizens’ free movement rights apply only under very serious conditions, and people who commit serious criminal offences lose privileges under the free movement directive. He said he is conscious of victims’ concerns, seeks victims’ consent for removal in serious sexual offence cases, and does not remove people from prison in the jurisdiction until they are serving the final year in custody. He also launched upgraded eGate facilities at Dublin Airport, describing them as safe, secure, and designed to improve efficiency and compatibility with identity cards, using improved facial-recognition technology.

"“These were all people who had been convicted of serious criminal offences,” he said. “If people have committed serious criminal offences, they lose to privileges that come under the free movement directive.” EU citizens are permitted to live and work in Ireland under the free movement directive, but the minister said that comes “subject to very serious conditions”."

"He said he also needs to be “conscious of the concerns of victims”. He said he looks for the consent of victims of serious sexual offences before the perpetrator is removed and said “no one is removed from prison in the jurisdiction until they are serving the final year in custody”. “I'm taking a very serious approach in response to people who have come to Ireland and have committed serious criminal offences, and that's something I intend to continue.”"

"Mr O'Callaghan was at Dublin Airport on Monday to launch upgraded eGate facilities, part of the border management system operated by the Department of Justice. The 25 new and upgraded gates will offer a “significant development” in making sure there is a “safe and secure” border at Ireland's largest airport, he said. He said around 6.3 million people used the eGates at Dublin last year and that is expected to increase this year."

"Discussing the new gates, Mr O'Callaghan said they are designed to increase efficiency as they will also be compatible with identity cards. They include improved facial-recognition technology to compare the person using the system with the photo."

Read at Irish Independent