Twenty five Indian nationals are being interviewed today by immigration officers after making a claim for asylum.
The 25 men spent the weekend in Limerick Prison after refusing to continue their journey to Havana from Moscow on Saturday.
The group disembarked at Shannon during a refuelling stop and refused to reboard the Aeroflot plane. They were prevented from leaving the airport and were later taken to the prison, which is also used as a detention centre for asylum seekers.
A statement from the Department of Justice today said the men did not indicate to immigration officers at Shannon that they wished to claim asylum in the State. Up to today they were being held as undocumented illegal migrants.
They will continue to be held in Limerick Prison while further interviews are carried out.