‘Pupils ran out in tears' – Dublin school ‘devastated' after two ‘popular' school children deported to Nigeria
The two were part of a group made up of 21 men, nine women, and five
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The deportations came as part of an ongoing Garda operation
Credit: Alamy
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The recent charter flight was the third of its kind this year
Credit: alamy
They were
But principal of St James's Primary School in
Ciaran Cronin told
He opined that to "spring" deportations on children who thought they had an immigration appointment is "very cruel".
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Cronin said other children had witnessed the two boys' belongings being packed up from their hotel rooms and put on a bus.
He explained: "On Wednesday morning they all came to school completely distressed, upset, visibly shaken by what they had seen at the hotel in the morning.
"They came to
"We had been in touch with the mother for a long time, knowing that they were going through the deportation process."
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Cronin added that the primary school had been advocating on the
32 people deported to Georgia from Ireland on chartered flight as Minister in 'robust & enforced' immigration laws vow
He claimed that they had put in character references for the boys explaining that they wanted them to be let stay in the school.
But, he explained: "On Wednesday morning, when the children came in, we kind of knew it's the end of the line for them, unfortunately."
Cronin went on to say that the two boys were "really popular" in school.
He said: "They were part of the football team. They played the Cumann na mBunscol
"Had loads of friends and got on really well with everyone."
He described the two children's deportation as "a huge loss" to the school.
And he added that teachers had to explain to the other pupils in the school that the boys weren't coming back.
'THEY'VE LOST THEIR FRIENDS'
He explained: "At home time yesterday pupils ran out in tears telling their
"They've lost their friends, they're looking to see if they have their WhatsApp, that they can contact them, and they haven't been able to make contact with them since."
He told RTE's
"This cannot happen again. All of this can be done better."
The
National Immigration Bureau
confirmed yesterday that it continues to work with the Department of Justice on enforcing immigration policy.
'CLEAR MESSAGE'
A spokesperson for the force said: "An Garda Siochana continues to work closely with the Department of Justice in implementing immigration policy."
The Justice Department had previously said that they carry out deportations as a "last resort" when people have not left the country voluntarily.
Minister for Justice
He said: "Ireland has a rules-based immigration system. It is important that those rules are robust and enforced.
"The return of people whose applications have been refused and deportation orders have issued is the foundation of any modern rules-based immigration process.
"People coming to Ireland must follow the appropriate pathways for legal migration and these pathways must be adhered to and protected for our immigration system to work fairly and effectively.
"If a person's application for international protection is refused and they are ordered to leave the State they must do so."
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The principal of St James' Primary School called the event "a huge loss"
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