A method for purging of, and debris removal from, a hole created with laser energy in which a swirling purge gas stream is provided in a hole containing debris to be removed, imparting a swirl to the debris and lifting the debris from a bottom of the hole. In accordance with one embodiment, the purge gas is swirled in a purge gas nozzle providing purge gas into the hole. In accordance with another embodiment of this invention, the purge gas is swirled directly in the hole.