Fifty-two people, including seven children, have been deported to Georgia on a charter flight which departed from Dublin last night.
The 45 adults - 35 men and ten women - along with the seven children landed in Tbilisi at 2.30am Irish time this morning, according to a statement from the Department of Justice.
The children were all part of family groups.
It is the sixth deportation operation using charter flights this year and brings the total number of people removed by charter flights so far this year to 205, while 146 more people have been removed from the State on commercial flights.
This flight was provided by Air Partner Ltd at a cost of €187,625.00 for a return flight, the statement said, adding that the total costs for this operation are not yet available as "the invoicing process has not yet been completed".
Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said deportations and removals will continue for the remainder of the year.
"I would like to re-iterate that if a person’s application for international protection is refused and they are ordered to leave the State, they must do so. If they choose not to leave voluntarily, they will be forced to leave," he said.
Minister O'Callaghan also said that over 3,870 deportation orders have been signed so far this year and this year will see the largest number of people deported from the State on charter and commercial flights in over 20 years.
"I would like to highlight that the majority of Georgian people resident in Ireland are doing so legally, having entered the State though the various legal pathways available. They are welcome and contribute immensely to our economy and society," he added.
Those deported were accompanied on the flight by gardaí, medical staff, an interpreter and a human rights observer.
