President Catherine Connolly Voices Concern After Sister Among Irish Nationals Detained in Gaza Aid Flotilla

Dublin: Irish President Catherine Connolly has expressed concern after her sister was among six Irish nationals detained by Israeli forces during a humanitarian mission to Gaza.

Margaret Connolly, a general practitioner from Sligo, was part of the “Global Peace Flotilla”, an aid convoy reportedly sailing in support of Gaza when several vessels were intercepted in the Mediterranean Sea south of Cyprus. Organisers allege that Israeli forces boarded and took control of multiple ships en route.

Speaking following a meeting with the British monarch in London, President Connolly said she was “very proud” of her sister, while also acknowledging concern over the situation. She added that she had not yet been able to obtain full details due to other official commitments.

The incident is expected to further strain already tense relations between Ireland and Israel. Diplomatic ties have deteriorated in recent years, including the closure of Israel’s embassy in Dublin in 2024 following Ireland’s recognition of a Palestinian state and broader political disagreements over the Gaza conflict. Israel has rejected allegations levelled against it in relation to the war.

President Connolly, an independent socialist known for her criticism of Israeli policy, was elected last October.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry described the flotilla mission as a “provocation”, alleging it was intended to support Hamas and distract from international peace efforts. It also claimed that detainees were being handled in accordance with legal procedures.

The exact location and condition of those detained has not been independently confirmed. Israel has released video footage it says shows activists in custody aboard naval vessels.

The flotilla organisers have also released a pre-recorded video allegedly recorded by Margaret Connolly before her detention, in which she states she was “abducted from the ship” and held by Israeli forces, while holding up her Irish passport.

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