Israel to deport detained duo

Nobel laureate Mairead Maguire and former soldier Derek Graham will be deported by Israel today for attempting to bring aid to Gaza.

The Irish duo were detained last week on board a boatload of humanitarian supplies en route from Cyprus.

The pair were stopped 24 miles from shore and taken into custody by Israeli authorities.

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin led calls for the pair to be released and for border crossings and trade links with Gaza to be reopened. They were effectively shut down by Israel after the military offensive in Gaza in December and January.

Ms Maguire, 65, winner of the Noble Peace Prize and Pacem in Terris Award for her work in the North, and Mr Graham, 40, a former Defence Forces member, were detained with 21 passengers and crew.

They are due back in Dublin Airport tonight.