Irish TD detained with group on March to Gaza as Egyptian authorities ‘confiscate passports'
TD Paul Murphy has been detained along with a group of people who are travelling through Egypt to reach Rafah on the Global March to Gaza.
People Before Profit confirmed the politician had been detained and his passport confiscated in a statement this afternoon.
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Multiple people who are travelling through Egypt to reach Rafah on the Global March to Gaza have been detained by the Egyptian authorities and have had their passports taken within the two last hours.
March participant and People Before Profit member Kellie McConnell is also amongst those detained.
In a message she said 'We are on an armed bus. No windows. They will take us to the airport'.
Matt Collins, National Secretary, People Before Profit said: 'The Irish government must contact the Egyptian authorities to demand the release of Paul and the others who have been detained.
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"They are on a peaceful march to demand that humanitarian aid is delivered to starving people in Gaza. There is no reason for them to be detained'.
'We also call on the public to contact the Egyptian embassy to demand that people on the Global March to Gaza are allowed to travel unhindered'.
The group are at present refusing to board a bus for deportation.
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People Before Profit Paul Murphy has had his passport confiscated
Credit: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
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