Further concerns over treatment of Irish activists detained by Israeli forces

People raise V-signs and take photos from a boat decorated with Palestinian flags as another vessel displaying solidarity signs sails past near the port in Marmaris, Turkey, on May 14, 2026. Photo by Murat Kocabas / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images.

Further concerns have been expressed over the treatment of Irish activists detained by Israeli forces.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, which was carrying aid bound for Gaza, said 10 boats in a 60-vessel flotilla were intercepted in international waters and boarded by Israeli forces shortly after 9am yesterday.

The sister of President Catherine Connolly, Dr Margaret Connolly, is among at least six Irish citizens aboard the aid flotilla who have been detained by Israel, according to organisers, adding that it was intercepted approximately 70 nautical miles off Cyprus.

Human rights campaigner Caoimhe Butterly, who is on a vessel monitoring the flotilla pointed out there had been no communication since the interception of the flotilla by Israeli forces. 

Ms Butterly told RTÉ the group had been “illegally abducted” and were being detained on a converted cargo prison ship. 

'Incommunicado'

“There has been no communication with them since the interception, but based on the testimonies of those who were intercepted and, again, illegally detained two weeks ago, there were accounts of physical, psychological, and sexual violence perpetuated against some of those on board.

“So we're, along with the families and friends of those who have now gone basically incommunicado, waiting for updates. There was a possibility that the detainees would be taken to the Israeli port of Ashdod from where they would be transferred to prison before deportation, she said.

The ”abduction” of the people from the flotilla was contrary to international humanitarian law, but also to maritime law.

“Those on board have been very clear from the onset that their intention is to both uphold international law, but also to challenge, what is a hermetic and illegal by all international law metrics, siege of Gaza.” 

When asked if the presence of the sister of the Irish president would have an impact on how the those in custody would be treated, she said that, based on the experiences of those in a flotilla last October, which included members of parliament, she thought not, but she hoped “Margaret's presence brings a measure of safety to those around her.

“But I would say that Margaret Connolly was also very clear that her remit and her presence on board the flotilla, as well as being the president's sister, was also as a health care worker and to try and shine a spotlight on the systematic targeting of Palestinian health care workers.”

This comes as President Catherine Connolly said she is “very worried” and “upset”, but also proud, after her sister was detained by Israeli forces.

Speaking to reporters in London on Monday, President Connolly said she was worried about her sister.

“It’s quite upsetting, and I’m very worried about her, and I’m also very concerned about her colleagues on board “I have been very busy today. I’ve been in the Irish Community Centre in Hammersmith, which was a wonderful, magnificent display.

“Then I met with King Charles. I haven’t really had a chance to get details in relation to my sister and, indeed, equally importantly, her colleagues on the boat,” she said.