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RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
28 people deported to Nigeria detained prior to flight
Twenty-eight of the 35 people who were deported to Nigeria on a charter flight from Ireland this week were held in custody prior to their deportation. The average length of their detention was 27 days. The figures were provided in response to a request to the Department of Justice by RTÉ's Saturday with Colm Ó Mongáin. In a statement, the Department said a person who is subject of a deportation order can be held for up to 56 days "for the purpose of ensuring their deportation from the State". It added that this was "to facilitate the procurement of travel documentation and the making of arrangements for the deportation flight". Details were not provided on where those deported this week were detained in advance of the flight to Nigeria. However, the Department said there are a number of "prescribed places of detention" which include Castlerea Prsion, Cloverhill Prison, Cork Prison, Limerick Prison, Midlands Prison and Wheatfield Prison. It is understood women detained prior to deportation are held at the Dóchas Centre in Dublin. Detainees can also be held at any garda station. Speaking on RTÉ's Saturday with Colm Ó Mongáin, Fianna Fáil Minister of State Charlie McConalogue said that in some instances it was necessary to detain people in advance of deportation, but this was "hopefully in a small number of circumstances". "The information I have in terms of the women and children involved, there was no detentions there, that there was a date given in advance," Mr McConalogue said. The breakdown of figures for the flight to Nigeria included 21 men, nine women and five children - indicating that at least some women were held in custody prior to their enforced deportation. Speaking on the same programme, Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin said: "There is no doubt that part of what the very high profile nature of Minister O'Callaghan has done is to try and distract attention away from their failures in terms of running an international protection system that is compassionate, that is human rights rooted, but also that is fair, efficient and ultimately enforced." Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney said the events of Thursday morning was "the stuff of nightmares" for the children deported - as well as the children who witnessed their friends being taken away by gardaí.
Dublin Live
22-05-2025
- Business
- Dublin Live
Flights between Derry and Dublin Airport could resume next year
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Flights between Derry and Dublin could resume next year, a Minister of State has said. A daily flight between the capital and City of Derry Airport that was funded by the Irish Government was scrapped in 2011. Minister of State at the Department of Tourism Charlie McConalogue told BBC Radio Foyle's Mark Patterson Show that there are ongoing discussions to have the service reinstated by the end of 2026. "The Irish government are committed to stepping this forward, have put a timeline in place as to how we can make this happen, and I have been liaising with the Minister for Transport and City of Derry management," he said, adding the loss has "been a real disadvantage to Derry, Donegal, and the north-west region". According to Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), the City of Derry Airport welcomed 48,000 passengers during the summer 2023 quarter. This is less than half the airport's strongest recorded quarter, when almost 130,000 people travelled through the airport from July to September 2011. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Post
22-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Post
Dublin to Derry flights could be back by 2026
MORE than decade after it vanished from departure boards, flights between Dublin and the City of Derry Airport (CoDA) could be restarted by the end of 2026. The route, which was dropped in 2011, has long been considered a missing cog in the transportation infrastructure of the area. At its peak, the airport welcomed nearly 130,000 passengers in the July–September period of 2011. In comparison, passenger numbers during the same time in 2023 stood at just 48,000, highlighting the steep drop in usage following route cancellations and the broader impact of the pandemic. Irish Minister of State and Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue confirmed that talks are taking place to revive the route, which would be supported through a public service obligation (PSO) scheme. PSO routes involve government subsidies to maintain air services that are not financially viable on a commercial basis but are deemed essential for regional connectivity. McConalogue emphasised the Irish government's commitment to the project, highlighting that the restoration of the route was a stated goal in the current programme for government. He also noted the involvement of the Irish transport minister, Darragh O'Brien, who is expected to meet with airport management in the coming weeks to move things along. The loss of the Dublin route has been widely acknowledged as a setback for Derry, Donegal and the broader northwest region. McConalogue described it as a 'real disadvantage', stressing the importance of restoring international connectivity and the potential for the route to support local economic growth. The initiative is being developed with input from the Irish government's Shared Island Unit, which was created in 2020 to support cross-border infrastructure and investment. This unit has played a role in many large-scale projects in Northern Ireland, including upgrades to the A5 road and the redevelopment of Casement Park. City of Derry Airport welcomed the news, describing the efforts as a 'positive development' and underscoring the importance of economic links between Dublin and the northwest. Airport representatives noted that reinstating the route could help sustain local employment and improve overall accessibility for the region. This announcement follows a separate commitment to continue subsidising direct flights between Derry and Heathrow until March 2027. That service, operated by Loganair, is supported by a joint funding package from Northern Ireland's Department for the Economy and the UK Department for Transport, totalling £4.6 million. If successful, the reintroduction of the Dublin–Derry route could offer renewed opportunities for tourism, business and community development. A significant factor for travellers is time; while taking a car, bus or train can take anywhere between three and a half to five hours, a flight would only take between 20 and 40 minutes. However, with these benefits, there are also environmental concerns. Short-haul flights are among the most carbon-intensive forms of transport, and their environmental impact is especially questionable when viable alternatives, such as rail, exist. Considering the global climate crisis, expanding air travel this way could draw criticism from environmental groups. These worries are already shaping transport policy in other parts of Europe. France has taken the bold step of banning domestic short-haul flights where train journeys of two and a half hours or less are available. This policy, implemented in 2023, aims to cut carbon emissions by encouraging travellers to choose trains instead of flights. In this landscape, proposals like the Dublin–Derry route raise questions about whether government-subsidised flights are a sustainable solution, especially if greener options, like cross-border rail upgrades, could serve similar purposes with far less cost to the environment.
Belfast Telegraph
21-05-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Dublin to Derry flights ‘could resume by 2026' in boost to north-west region
An Irish Government minister has indicated that flights between Londonderry and Dublin could be reinstated by the end of 2026. Flights between City of Derry Airport (CoDA) and Dublin were cancelled in 2011. The airport is currently the least busy of NI's three major airports. Recent air travel numbers from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) reveal the airport's summer quarter 2023 saw it welcome 48,000 travellers. The number is less than half the airport's strongest recorded quarter, when it saw close to 130,000 travellers in July-September 2011. Since that high point, the airport has faced the loss of routes like Ryanair's former Derry to Dublin flight, and the disruption of the global pandemic. Irish Minister of State and Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue told BBC News NI that talks to reinstate the Derry to Dublin route are ongoing. "The Irish government are committed to stepping this forward, have put a timeline in place as to how we can make this happen, and I have been liaising with the minister for transport and City of Derry management," he told BBC Radio Foyle's Mark Patterson Show. McConalogue said it been a commitment in the Irish government's programme for government and that it would move forward. He added that next month the transport Minister Darragh O'Brien will meet the airport management. McConalogue said the loss has "been a real disadvantage to Derry, Donegal, and the north-west region". In April it was announced that direct flights between Londonderry and Heathrow will continue to be subsidised for two more years. It followed an announced by Stormont Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald of £4.626 million of funding from her department and Westminster's Department for Transport. It will ensure the continuation of flights between CoDA and Heathrow until March 31 2027.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Londonderry to Dublin flights 'could resume by end of 2026'
Flights between Londonderry and Dublin could resume by the end of 2026 after a 14-year break, an Irish government minister has said.A daily flight between City of Derry Airport and Dublin, funded by the Irish government, was withdrawn in to revive the service faltered in 2016 following the Brexit Irish government minister and Donegal TD (Irish MP) Charlie McConalogue has told BBC News NI discussions to have the service reinstated by the end of next year are ongoing. "The Irish government are committed to stepping this forward, have put a timeline in place as to how we can make this happen, and I have been liaising with the minister for transport and City of Derry management," he told BBC Radio Foyle's Mark Patterson said restoring the route had been a commitment in the Irish government's programme for government and it would added that next month the transport Minister Darragh O'Brien will meet management at the airport to further progress the plans. The route would be funded under a public service obligation (PSO).A PSO air route sees a government support flights which would not be commercially viable without financial the London government provides financial backing for the Derry to London PSO route. 'A real disadvantage to Derry and Donegal' McConalogue said the loss of the service in 2011 has "been a real disadvantage to Derry, Donegal, and the north west region".Its resumption would provide the region with "really important connectivity, international connectivity," he added: "Obviously there are a number of steps there in terms of the economic analysis and the role of the Shared Island Unit which has been very important to a number of initiatives."The Irish government's Shared Island Unit was established in 2020 to deliver all-island investment has previously been put towards big projects in Northern Ireland like the A5 road and the redevelopment of Casement Park.
