Dozens deported in last six months under International Protection Act

More than 30 people were forcibly deported in the past six months under the International Protection Act 2015, the Irish Independent reports.

Speaking in the Dáil, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said 33 people were forcibly removed by gardaí out of a total of 193 deportations since 10 March 2016.

The International Protection Act allows for gardaí to arrest, detain and deport people who have ignored a deportation order.

However, Ms Fitzgerald said there were still safeguards in place.

She said: “The safety of returning a person is fully considered in every case when deciding whether or not to make a deportation order.

“A person shall not be expelled from the State or returned in any manner whatsoever to a State where the life or freedom of that person would be threatened on account of his or her race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.”