Airlines and shipping companies were fined €345,000 between January and March for transporting migrants without documentation, according to the Department of Justice. 

According to an FOI previously released to Newstalk, 4,007 asylum seekers arrived in Ireland in 2023 without proper documentation. 

The Immigration Act of 2003 puts the responsibility of this on the ‘carriers’ of these asylum seekers, including airplanes and ferries. 

According to the Department of Justice, 176 carrier liability fines have been issued in the first three months of 2024 – amounting to €345,000. 

Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie, who obtained these figures, noted it is not just airlines who have received these fines. 

“But the Department told me that around 98% of these fines would be for airlines,” he told The Pat Kenny Show. 

In 2022, 958 fines were issued amounting to over €1.1 million, while in 2023, 1,003 fines were issued costing €1.14 million. 

The Immigration Act states carriers must ensure passengers travelling to the State have valid travel documents that establish the person’s identity and nationality. 

Immigration lawyer Cathal Malone said certain restrictions and conflicts in different countries could prevent migrants who are fleeing war from having the correct paperwork. 

“For example, when the Taliban took power in Afghanistan again recently, the first thing that they did was stop issuing passports,” he said. 

“Particularly for Afghan women, it's very difficult for them to obtain a passport because they need the consent of a male guardian.” 

'Root causes' of migration

Mr Malone also noted some people might have a passport – but they also need a visa to travel to Ireland. 

“So, if people want to come to Ireland to claim asylum, to get out of their home country, then their options are to travel on false papers so they can get to Dublin Airport or Cork Airport in order to make their application,” he said. 

“Ultimately, people are fleeing situations of war, persecution, economic instability. 

“Until we address the root causes, the push factors that are making people leave their countries of origin, the number of people coming is only going to increase.” 

Migrants without documentation

The Department of Justice and Garda National Immigration Bureau are now providing training to airline staff on immigration requirements and false travel documentation. 

Josh explained since the beginning of this year to the end of May, there were around 3,040 doorstep operations carried out at Dublin Airport. 

“They recorded a 34% reduction in 2023 in the number of people arriving in the State without the correct documents,” he said. 

Josh also spoke to Hyland’s Shipping owner Tino Hyland, who said the company is now diverting some cargo to prevent migrants from breaking into trailers to travel to Ireland. 

“We have a huge problem with security... drivers are being attacked and intimidated,” Mr Hyland said. 

“They break into trucks close to the port, so we don't stop near to the port - but the problem also now is, on top of that, port security in certain areas isn't good enough. 

“Stowaways are managing to get their way into ports and then they break into trailers.” 

Mr Hyland said stowaways will find their way into trailers on ships on a “weekly basis” lately. 

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