Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Operation Hyphen.

Joe Higgins

Question:

1421 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí involved in Operation Hyphen in Dublin; the number of persons taken into custody; if any wrongful arrests took place; if persons were charged with offences under the immigration laws; if persons were deported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17236/02]

Joe Higgins

Question:

1422 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí involved in Operation Hyphen outside Dublin; the number of persons taken into custody; if any wrongful arrests took place; if any persons were charged with offences under the immigration laws; if any persons were deported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17237/02]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1421 and 1422 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Hyphen took place in the Dublin Metropolitan Region on 16 July 2002 and elsewhere on the 23 July 2002. Some 200 gardaí were involved in the operation in the Dublin Metropolitan Region for a number of hours. A total of 39 persons were detained. Of these, a total of six persons were deported. A total of 19 persons were charged with immigration related offences. The remainder were released on proof of identity.

Approximately 400 gardaí were involved in the operation in the Garda regions other than the Dublin Metropolitan Region for a number of hours. A total of 101 persons were detained, of whom 34 were released without charge, 56 were charged with immigration related offences and one sought asylum. Ten persons were detained for evasion of deportation orders and nine deported. One was released for medical reasons and will be deported when that is resolved.

Separate reporting procedures were not maintained after the operations and the persons arrested were treated in the same way as irregular migrants arrested at any other time. There is no information to suggest that any wrongful arrests took place. It is not possible to report on what has happened to each of the persons arrested since their arrest without the deployment of disproportionate time and resources. However, a substantial number are believed to have left the State voluntarily. Certain others regularised their immigration status in the State.