Irish citizens held in Egypt, including TD Paul Murphy released
People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy has been released from detention by the Egyptian authorities after being held in the region on Friday.
The Irish politician was among a group of people who were travelling through Egypt to reach Rafah on the Global March to Gaza, when the incident took place.
The party reported on Friday that Mr Murphy and the group had their passports confiscated by Egyptian authorities who were attempting to have them board a bus, which they refused. People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy has been released from detention by the Egyptian authorities after being held in the region on Friday. Pic: Sam Boal/Collins Photos
In a post on X, Mr Murphy wrote: 'We have had our passports confiscated and are being detained.
'It seems Egyptian authorities have decided to crack down on the #GreatMarchToGaza.
'We are refusing to board the deportation bus,' he added. The Irish politician was among a group of people who were travelling through Egypt to reach Rafah on the Global March to Gaza, when the incident took place. Pic: X
A final tweet from the TD's account reads: 'These are the final seconds we have from Paul. His phone has been taken, and his passport. We urgently need Minister for Foreign Affairs @SimonHarrisTD to intervene, demand he is freed, his passport & phone returned and the protesters are allowed to peacefully #MarchToGaza.'
People Before Profit have since confirmed Mr Murphy's release, with Councillor Jess Spear commenting: 'It is a relief to hear that Paul and the others in his group have been released and are ok. However, they still want to reach Rafah to try and get humanitarian aid into Gaza. That has been the sole purpose of being in Egypt.
'Paul has appealed to Tánaiste Simon Harris to put pressure on the Egyptian authorities to let the marchers reach Rafah. The situation of the people of Gaza worsens by the day as they suffer starvation imposed by Israel. We need to get humanitarian aid to them as quickly as possible.' The party reported on Friday that Mr Murphy and the group had their passports confiscated by Egyptian authorities who were attempting to have them board a bus, which they refused. Pic: X
In a post on X on Saturday, Simon Harris confirmed he is currently in contact with Egyptian authorities.
'I have spoken with @IRLEmbCairo & I can confirm that there are no Irish citizens currently in detention in Egypt relating to the march to Rafah. All Irish citizens have had their passports returned. A small number have not had their phones returned & our Embassy is pursuing this.'
Mr Murphy also shared an update on the platform, writing: 'We were finally released late last night at airport. Police still have our phones. We are back in Cairo and meeting shortly to decide next steps. We're focused on Israel's genocide and starvation of Gaza. Thanks for your support. Free Palestine.'
We were finally released late last night at airport. Police still have our phones.
We are back in Cairo and meeting shortly to decide next steps. We're focused on Israel's genocide and starvation of Gaza. Thanks for your support. Free Palestine 🇵🇸 🇵🇸🇵🇸#GlobalMarchToGaza pic.twitter.com/1vIHrsZGh3
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