Up to 90% of asylum seekers in Ireland may have entered through the Northern Ireland land border over the last three years, according to government data. This potential exploitation of the Common Travel Area follows a recent attempted murder charge in Belfast involving a Sudanese refugee, prompting renewed scrutiny of border security and management.
Why is the Common Travel Area under renewed scrutiny?
The debate over the open land border intensified this week following a knife attack in Belfast on Monday. Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old Sudanese refugee, has been charged with attempted murder in connection with the incident.
Reports indicate Alodid traveled from Sudan to Paris and then to Dublin before taking a bus to Belfast, where he claimed asylum in 2023. In response to the attack, police reinforcements were sent from Great Britain to Northern Ireland on Thursday.
Did You Know? Before 2019, the number of people seeking asylum in Ireland was approximately 5,000, which was significantly lower than the peak of 18,500 recorded between 2022 and 2024.
How do asylum application numbers compare?
Data from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) shows that 16,600 people sought asylum at an airport or port. A significant number of those individuals are thought to have traveled from Great Britain to Ireland via flights or ferries to Belfast.
In contrast, the vast majority of applicants do not use ports. Between 2022 and 2024, 90% of asylum seekers made their first-time applications in person at the International Protection Office in Dublin, while only 10% applied at airports or ports.
This trend has continued into 2025 and 2026, with in-person applications recorded at 88% and 90% respectively. While precise numbers of illegal crossings cannot be verified without physical checks, former justice minister Helen McEntee stated in 2024 that 80% of applicants were entering via the land border.
Expert Insight: The discrepancy between port arrivals and in-person applications suggests that the land border remains the primary entry point for those seeking international protection. This creates a complex challenge for officials attempting to manage the Common Travel Area while maintaining political stability in Northern Ireland.
What is the status of border management and returns?
The Irish government has expressed “deep concern” regarding the violence in Belfast and is working with the British government to address abuses of the Common Travel Area. Officials are also working to revive a post-Brexit returns agreement.
This 2020 agreement was previously delayed after Ireland’s High Court ruled that the UK’s policy on sending asylum seekers to Rwanda meant it was not a legally defined “safe country.” DFAT stated that arrangements to re-operationalize the agreement may be put in place following the redesignation of the UK as a safe third country.
Political leaders remain divided on the issue. Democratic Unionist leader Gavin Robinson has called for the border to be closed, describing the area as a “back door to Britain.” However, Taoiseach Micheál Martin noted that while the Common Travel Area is positive for both nations, it requires constant management to prevent abuse.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many immigration offenders were apprehended at the land border last year?
The UK Home Office reported that more than 900 “immigration offenders” were apprehended for abusing the open land border in the past year. - Why was the 2020 returns agreement between the UK and Ireland delayed?
The deal was delayed after the Irish High Court ruled that the UK’s policy regarding Rwanda meant it could not be legally defined as a “safe country.” - What percentage of asylum seekers apply in person in Dublin?
According to recent data, approximately 88% to 90% of asylum seekers make their first-time applications in person at the International Protection Office in Dublin.
How should governments balance the benefits of open travel areas with the need for border management?
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