A Gaza-bound Clare poet is among at least nine Irish citizens detained by Israeli forces.
Sarah Clancy, who’s Head of the Clare Public Participation Network and lived in Ballyvaughan for over a decade, was on board ‘The Spectre’, one of 21 aid flotilla boats intercepted overnight.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry says passengers from several vessels are being transferred to an Israeli port and it added a reference to Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, saying ‘Greta and her friends are safe and healthy’.
Ennistymon native and Barrister Leigh Brosnan, who is a member of Lawyers for Palestine, was aboard ‘The Shireen’, one of two boats among the 44 solely providing legal assistance, but is now providing land support.
Irish activists Tara O’Grady, Thomas McHugh and Diarmuid Mac Dubhghlais pre-recorded messages before their boats were boarded and members of their ground-crew released them shortly after communications were lost with their boats, the Alma and the Sirius.
Sinn Fein’s Mary Lou McDonald spoke to the party’s Senator Chris Andrews as Israeli warships surrounded his ship, the Spectre, around ten to six last evening, less than 50 nautical miles from Gaza.
She says he wanted to thank his family, friends and comrades, who’ve supported the flotilla and he called on the government to act urgently to ensure those detained are not mistreated in captivity.
The Department of Foreign Affairs says its priority is the safety of Irish citizens, and assisting them and their families.
Tanaiste Simon Harris is meeting senior officials this morning to discuss the situation.
The Taoiseach says Irish citizens who have been detained by the Israeli navy must be “treated properly”.
Speaking in Copenhagen this morning, Michael Martin says the Irish embassy in Tel Aviv is providing consular assistance to those who have been detained.
And you can hear more on this story on Clare FM’s Morning Focus this Thursday morning from 9am.
