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New data released by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) reveals a significant influx of arrivals in Ireland during July 2025, with almost 1000 applicants seeking international protection.
The breakdown highlights a predominance of single males (47%), followed by families with children (38%), single females (10%), and couples (5%). However, the nationalities of these arrivals – none of which have direct flights to Ireland – have sparked debate over whether many are economic migrants passing through multiple safe countries.
The top 10 countries of origin include Somalia (179 arrivals, 18.5%), Nigeria (143, 14.8%), Afghanistan (83, 8.6%), Georgia (48, 5%), Bangladesh (38, 3.7%), Vietnam (32, 3.3%), Ukraine (28, 2.9%), Zimbabwe (21, 2.1%), Pakistan, and Sudan. Notably, the absence of direct flight routes from these nations to Ireland suggests that many migrants are traveling through several safe countries before reaching Irish shores, raising concerns about the legitimacy of their asylum claims.
Experts point out that international law typically expects asylum seekers to claim protection in the first safe country they enter. The fact that these individuals are traversing multiple stable nations – such as those in the European Union or neighboring regions – before arriving in Ireland has led some to argue that economic opportunities, rather than persecution, may be the primary motivation. For instance, Georgia and Nigeria, both represented in the data, are considered safe by Irish authorities for certain applicants, yet their citizens are still making the journey.
Arrival trends over the past four months show a consistent pattern, with July’s figures aligning with previous months’ highs, particularly among single males. This ongoing influx has put pressure on Ireland’s accommodation and processing systems, with the government facing growing calls to address the migration issue.
Critics, argue that the lack of direct flights underscores a deliberate choice to bypass initial safe havens, potentially exploiting Ireland’s asylum process for economic gain. “People should stay in the first safe country they arrive in,” one observer noted, reflecting a sentiment echoed across social media platforms and broadly within Irish society.
The government has yet to comment on whether these patterns will prompt a review of immigration policies. However, the issue is likely to fuel further debate as Ireland struggles to manage unsustainable levels of arrivals, placing additional pressure on accommodation and resources that are now almost non-existent.
The question remains: Should migrants who have clearly passed through safe countries to reach Ireland be returned to their country of origin?
This article was originally published by SnD Media News.
