More than 3000 Malawian nationals have been deported in South Africa after thousands protested earlier this year in Johannesburg and other parts of the country against illegal immigration that has fueled tensions between locals and foreign nationals.

Forty-two South African nationals were deported from Ireland yesterday, Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has said.

The nine men, 18 women and 15 children, who were all part of family units, left Dublin on a specially chartered flight on Thursday afternoon.

The nine men, 18 women and 15 children, who were all part of family units, left Dublin on a specially chartered flight on Thursday afternoon.