Concern for eight Irish activists on Gaza aid ships

Eight Irish people were travelling on a flotilla of aid ships where 15 people were reportedly shot dead today by Israeli commandos.

Three Irish people, Dr Fintan Lane, Fiachra O Luain and Shane Dillon were on board the Challenger 2 which had travelled from Cyprus in the first wave of the flotilla.

The Irish-owned vessel, the MV Rachel Corrie, is part of the convoy. Irishman Dennis Halliday is on board that vessel. He said he was travelling on board the ship to "make a statement that the siege is unacceptable".

Derek and wife Jenny Graham, Caoimhe Butterly and Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Maguire are the other Irish nationals believed to be part of the convoy.

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin said consular officials were working to confirm the safety of Irish people caught up in the incident.

“I am gravely concerned at the reports emerging of the storming of a Turkish ship this morning by Israeli commandos,” the minister said.

“My department is seeking to establish the full facts of what has occurred and confirm the safety of the eight Irish nationals who sailed with the Turkish-led flotilla.

“The reports of up to 15 people killed and 50 injured, if confirmed, would constitute a totally unacceptable response by the Israeli military to what was a humanitarian mission attempting to deliver much needed supplies to the people of Gaza.”

The flotilla, which had been warned it would not be allowed to pass an Israeli sea blockade, was carrying about 10,000 tonnes of aid and about 800 passengers on eight ships.

It is understood the Turkish Mavi Marmara ship, from the pro-Islamic aid group IHH, and Free Gaza’s Challenger 1 were intercepted by Israeli Navy ships in international waters, 80 miles off the coast of Gaza.

The Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) said it has not been able to contact any of its members on the ships.

Dr David Landy, IPSC chairman, accused Israel of breaching international law.

“The fact that Israel would allow its forces to kill and wound international human rights activists shows the world once again that Israeli is a rogue state that acts with impunity,” he claimed.

Footage on the internet appeared to show a video of pandemonium on board the Mavi Marmara, with activists in orange lifejackets running around as others tried to help a colleague lying on the deck.

The Turkish website also showed an Israeli helicopter flying overhead and Israeli warships nearby.

The IPSC has planned a demonstration in Dublin tonight from O’Connell Street to the Israeli embassy in Ballsbridge.

Speakers at the protest will include Sinn Féin TD Aengus O Snodaigh and Chris Andrews, Fianna Fáil TD, who were refused access to the flotilla by the Cypriot authorities and had to abandon plans to travel with aid workers.

Mr O Snodaigh called on Mr Martin to expel the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland.

“It looks as though this cold and calculated attack took place in international waters, in breach of all international maritime laws. There must be action from the international community,” the Dublin TD said.

He added: “At all stage of preparations to join the flotilla the organisers reiterated non-violent and peaceful resistance to any boarding by Israeli army. The Israelis had nothing to fear from this flotilla.

“My thoughts are with the families of those who died. They were courageous men and women as was each and every person on the flotilla.”