'He's a teacher, not a soldier': Sister of Irish activist illegally detained by Israeli forces speaks out

Gaza flotilla activists and supporters, monitoring video transmissions from the ships of the aid flotilla headed for Gaza, watch the interception in international waters of one of the boats. Picture: Angelos Tsatsis

The sister of one of the Irish activists detained by Israeli forces on Tuesday when their flotilla en route to Gaza was intercepted, has told of how their family was watching the incident as it was live-streamed.

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 on Monday.

Mikey Cullen is one of 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. Margaret Connolly, sister of President Catherine Connolly, is also among the activists. 

Dr Margaret Connolly is also part of the flotilla. 

Aisling Cullen, sister of secondary school teacher Mikey Cullen, said the family had been tracking Mikey’s journey when they saw the Israeli navy fire shots before the live feed ceased.

Ms Cullen said that prior to that, the family had received a text from Mikey saying “we might be next” as they knew the Israeli navy was an hour away.

After hearing the shots and when the live feed ceased, the Cullen family contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“They had no idea what had happened to him yet, and it just felt surreal; it was like watching a scene out of a movie. How this could be happening in international waters to humanitarian activists," she told RTÉ's Morning Ireland on Wednesday. 

Ms Cullen said the Israeli navy appeared not to care anymore, and their interceptions were becoming more and more aggressive. The family did not know where Mr Cullen was now.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs have been ringing, and they've been really good and really helpful, but as of last night, they didn't know where he was, they hadn't got a full report yet on him or anyone on his boat, or of the people that were taken the day before," she said. 

The family remained uncertain if the shots they heard on the live stream were rubber bullets or live ammunition. 

Her brother was not a soldier, she said. 

“He was in international waters, he's a humanitarian, he's a secondary school teacher, he's not a soldier, he was going to help people.” 

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. The "Global Sumud Flotilla." (Picture: Murat Kocabas / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images)

When asked if the family was satisfied with the response of the Irish government, Cullen said the reason her brother had joined the flotilla was because of the lack of response of “the whole world” to what was happening in Gaza.

While what was happening to her brother and other people on the flotilla was frightening, what was happening to children and the people of Gaza on a daily basis was of much more concern, she said.

“He couldn't sit around with the injustice of it," Ms Cullen added. 

On Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee called for the immediate release of "Irish citizens illegally detained in international waters." 

"Israel must uphold its obligations under international law, including ensuring the safety, welfare, and humane treatment of [the citizens]," she said. 

"My Department, including our Embassy in Israel, is actively engaging with the Israeli authorities to secure immediate consular access and support for the Irish citizens involved. 

"We are also in direct contact with the families of those affected and with the flotilla organisers, and stand ready to provide all necessary consular assistance," Ms McEntee added.