Thirty-three Polish and Lithuanian citizens have been removed from the State on a flight from Dublin Airport this afternoon, the Minister for Justice has confirmed.
All those removed from the State had received custodial sentences for a range of criminal offences, the Department of Justice said in a statement.
Thirty-one of those removed were male and two were female with ages ranging from early 20s to early 60s.
An Garda Síochána said 20 of those removed today were currently serving custodial sentences.
Thirteen others had been arrested and detained across Ireland and were "lodged in prison" prior to their removal, gardaí said in a statement.
The criminal offences committed by those removed from the State today ranged from multiple road traffic offences, such as driving without insurance, to sexual assault, drug offences and involvement in organised crime.
As member states of the European Union, citizens of Poland and Lithuania have the right to reside in Ireland under the Free Movement Directive.
However, under the directive, the Minister for Justice may issue orders for the removal and exclusion of an EU citizen or their family member "who represent a danger to public policy, public security or public health", the department said.
"These orders can be made on the grounds that the individual's personal conduct represents a genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat affecting one of the fundamental interests of society," the department added.
Today’s charter flight departed Dublin Airport at 12.30pm this afternoon and arrived in Warsaw in Poland before travelling to the Lithuanian capital Vilnius.
The cost to the State for the provision of the aircraft was €122,000, the department said.
The department added that the 33 returnees were accompanied by garda personnel, medical staff, two interpreters and a human rights observer.
It did not reveal a cost associated with the accompanying personnel.
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said the right to freedom of movement is "among the most fundamental rights and freedoms provided to European citizens".
"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," Mr O'Callaghan said.
"I will take action if our laws are not upheld and this includes enforcing removal orders for individuals who are a danger to society and to the people of Ireland.
"It is important to remember that the majority of Polish and Lithuanian nationals’ resident in Ireland respect our laws and contribute positively to society."
Last year, 56 people were removed from the State under the Free Movement Directive, marking an increase from 18 the previous year.
Last year's figure includes 23 people who were removed on a charter flight to Romania.
