Paul Murphy released from Egyptian custody and expected to return to Ireland tomorrow
|
59 mins ago
DUBLIN TD PAUL Murphy has been released from his detention by authorities in Egypt.
Earlier today, he was detained for a second time and had his passport taken, People Before Profit said.
He is expected to return to Ireland tomorrow.
Thousands of people, including Murphy, have travelled to Egypt to hold demonstrations at its border with Palestine and take place in the Global March for Gaza. However, Egyptian authorities have detained hundreds of people since.
Murphy's partner, People Before Profit councillor Jess Spear, said that Murphy had attended a Cairo police station on the advice of the Irish embassy to retrieve his phone this morning after it had been taken from him when he was earlier
detained on Friday
.
Advertisement
Murphy had subsequently been released late on Friday at Cairo Airport.
From the station today, Murphy had messaged to say that he was concerned that his passport had been taken again and 'was told he can't leave. He just attempted to leave but has been prevented from doing so by the police', a statement from People Before Profit said.
Other participants in the Global March to Gaza were also detained, the statement claimed. It is unclear if they were released alongside Murphy this evening.
In his message, Murphy wrote: 'They [the police] took my passport again, had me talk to the secret police and left me in a room with an interpreter. They claim they are looking for my phone. I just attempted to leave but they said that I cannot leave. I understand that other march participants have also been detained'.
Spear appealed to Tánaiste Simon Harris to 'intervene urgently with the Egyptian authorities'.
A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said: 'We can confirm that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance in this case. Consular assistance is provided on a confidential basis and therefore the Department does not comment on the details of individual cases.'
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
36 minutes ago
- The Journal
Debunked: Asylum seekers are not exempt from income tax for a year after they are allowed to work
WHILE SOME ASYLUM seekers are entitled to work in Ireland while waiting for a decision on their application, it is not true that they enjoy a 'tax-free year' while doing so. The claim, which was shared in a recruitment video for an anti-immigration group, appears to be a misunderstanding of a plan to charge working asylum seekers that are in accommodation provided through the International Protection Accommodation Scheme (IPAS). The claim was shared in a video featuring a man wearing a 'MÉGA'cap, which stands for Make Éire Great Again — a slogan used by some Irish fans of Donald Trump. Shouting at a crowd, he talks about migrants who want to 'impose their sharia law' and says Irish people now slaves. 'Jim O'Callaghan, not three months ago, came out on RTÉ — I only watch it to see what I'm catching him out on — but he came out and said some IPAS residents are currently employed. They may be asked to contribute to society in a year's time. Where's my tax-free year? I have to pay through the nose for everything.' The post containing the speech is a recruitment video for anti-immigration group Síol na hÉireann. It is unclear if the man in the video has a connection with Síol na hÉireann, which has previously been investigated by the Advertising Standards Authority for using footage of assaults in its recruitment material. The Journal has previously debunked posts by this group, including multiple false claims about black people attacking white people in Ireland. As of writing, one version of the video have been viewed more than 232,300 times on Facebook, and more than 22,000 times on X. Both were posted on 10 August. The claim made in the video is said to stem from an appearance by Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan on RTÉ. The Journal was unable to find an appearance matching the description, and a spokesperson from O'Callaghan's office said that they were unfamiliar with what the man in the video was speaking about. It seems likely that the video confuses O'Callaghan with Colm Brophy, who is a Minister of State at the Department of Justice. Advertisement Brophy has spoken publicly about plans to charge working asylum seekers for their accommodation. (O'Callaghan's office confirmed he supports the plan). However, these plans have little resemblance to what was being talked about in the video other than some shared terminology, such as uses of the term 'contribution'. The government's plans are not about changing how IPAS applicants are taxed. Rather, these plans involve charging asylum seekers who are entitled to work for accommodation in IPAS centres as a way to reduce the cost of the international protection system to the government. Currently, asylum seekers in Ireland can be granted permission to work if they have been waiting more than 6 months for the first decision on their application. The Sunday Independent reported that one proposal says that 11,400 people in IPAS centres are estimated to have an income and would be eligible to pay the fee. So, what has this got to do with a 'tax-free year'? Not much, it appears. 'Applicants for international protection are subject to the same system of taxation as all other people resident in Ireland,' a spokesperson for the Department of Justice told The Journal. 'There is no exemption from income tax for applicants under the International Protection Accommodation Scheme who have an entitlement to work in Ireland,' Revenue said in response to the online claims. Claims that asylum seekers or other foreign nationals have preferential treatment in Ireland are commonly spread by anti-immigration groups. Thai year, The Journal has previously debunked claims that immigrants get shorter prison sentences than Irish citizens; that traffic rules do not apply to non-Irish people; that the Irish government pays Ukrainians to repair their cars or has spent €200,000 per car to help isolated Ukrainians; and that taxes go toward subsidising foreign-owned businesses . Want to be your own fact-checker? Visit our brand-new FactCheck Knowledge Bank for guides and toolkits The Journal's FactCheck is a signatory to the International Fact-Checking Network's Code of Principles. You can read it here . For information on how FactCheck works, what the verdicts mean, and how you can take part, check out our Reader's Guide here . You can read about the team of editors and reporters who work on the factchecks here . Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... It is vital that we surface facts from noise. Articles like this one brings you clarity, transparency and balance so you can make well-informed decisions. We set up FactCheck in 2016 to proactively expose false or misleading information, but to continue to deliver on this mission we need your support. Over 5,000 readers like you support us. If you can, please consider setting up a monthly payment or making a once-off donation to keep news free to everyone. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
42 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Far-right activist Philip Dwyer appears in court charged with public order offence
A prominent anti-immigration campaigner has appeared in court over an alleged public order offence involving political rivals outside a church in Bray, Co Wicklow, during last year's general election campaign. Philip Dwyer, aged 57, of Tallaght Cross West, Tallaght, Dublin 24, appeared before a sitting of Bray District Court on Wednesday in relation to an incident outside the Holy Redeemer Church on Main Street, Bray, Co Wicklow, on November 24, 2024. The self-styled citizen journalist and former postman is charged with committing an affray with another individual, David McConnell. Mr McConnell, aged 66, is the father of People Before Profit's candidate in the constituency of Wicklow in last November's general election, Kellie McConnell. Mr Dwyer, a former member of the right-wing National Party, stood as an independent candidate in Wicklow in the same election. Both men were canvassing voters on Main Street in Bray at the time of the alleged offence. The charge in Mr Dwyer's case states that both men are accused of using or threatening to use unlawful violence towards each other outside the Holy Redeemer Church, contrary to Section 16 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. It also states that the alleged conduct was such 'as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at said place to fear for his or another person's safety'. The court heard that Mr Dwyer had replied 'no comment' after arrest, charge and caution. Counsel for the accused, Ciara O'Brien BL, was granted an application for free legal aid for Mr Dwyer. Judge John O'Leary also granted another application by the barrister for a disclosure order. Mr Dwyer, who was accompanied to court by another high-profile, anti-immigration activist, Fergus Power, did not speak during the brief hearing. Judge O'Leary remanded him on bail to appear before the same court on October 20. In recent years, Mr Dwyer has become a regular attendant at anti-immigration protests including demonstrations outside buildings that house international protection applicants as well as properties rumoured as potential locations for housing asylum seekers. He was 14th out of 18 candidates with 435 first preference votes in November's election – one position behind Ms McConnell who was in 13th place with 1,259 votes. Mr Dwyer has also contested several other elections unsuccessfully, including last year's local and European elections when he was a candidate for the far-right party, Ireland First. It is understood gardaí investigated the incident outside the church in Bray after it was reported by Mr McConnell. A video which captured part of the encounter between the two accused parties was also shared on X (formerly Twitter) by Mr Dwyer. In the short piece of footage, Mr Dwyer incorrectly identified the rival campaigners as members of the Social Democrats and engaged in an exchange about abortion and transgender issues.
Irish Daily Mirror
42 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
GAA members call on Association to sever ties with sponsor over Israel links
A lobby group of GAA members representing pro-Palestine groupings have called on the Association to sever ties with Championship sponsor Allianz Ireland. The grouping have taken a stance against the Irish subsidiary of the German based global financial giant, in the wake of a report last month from UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese. Their campaign labelled 'Drop Allianz' was launched outside the Hogan Stand entrance at Croke Park on Wednesday. It features the groupings Gaels against Genocide, who met with GAA President Jarlath Burns in May 2024, Dubs For Palestine, Irish Sport for Palestine and Gaeil ar son Gaza. An open letter was handed in to the GAA calling on the Association to 'demonstrate its commitment to international humanitarian law and promptly cease its relationship with Allianz.' The letter is signed by more than 780 former and current county players and features some huge names from the world of GAA. These include Dr David Hickey, Neil McManus, Peter Canavan, Tómas Ó Sé, Joe Brolly, Shane McGuigan, Niall Cahalane, Terence 'Sambo' McNaughton, Danny Sutcliffe, Michael Darragh Macauley, Aoife Ní Chasáide, Jane Adams, Brendan Devenney and Sorcha Gormley. Allianz Ireland have sponsored the GAA's National Leagues in hurling and football for over 30 years and earlier this year signed a new five year deal, which is set to run until 2030. The Irish subsidiary of the international corporate giant recently signed a new three year deal as one of the GAA's six Championship sponsors, having completed an original three year agreement, which was signed in 2023. It is believed the Championship deal is worth in the region of €1 million per annum to the GAA. Allianz is one of three football Championship rights holders, with three more in hurling. The National Leagues, which covers both codes, deal is understood to be worth in the region of €800,000 per annum. Allianz are also a sponsor of the Camogie Association and primary schools body Cumann na mBunscol as well as Paralympics Ireland and the Olympic Federation of Ireland. They are currently running a campaign entitled 'Stop the Drop,' which they say is aimed at preventing children dropping out of sport. Colm O'Rourke speaking at Croke Park Albanese's report - entitled 'From economy of occupation to economy of genocide' - states that asset management firm, Pimco, owned by another part of the wider Allianz group are a major purchaser of Israeli treasury bonds." The report goes on to point out that the firm holds $7.3 billion in Israeli shares and bonds, with $1 billion purchased since the start of the conflict in Gaza. The report alleges that bonds purchased by a range of international finance companies have helped to prop up Israel's economy and fund their ongoing onslaught in Gaza. Michael Doherty of Gaels against Genocide said: 'As the largest sporting organisation in Ireland, the GAA must show leadership in this time of genocide. 'It cannot continue with a 'business as usual' approach. As a main sponsor of the GAA, Allianz presents itself as socially responsible and ethical.' The letter goes on to call on the GAA to implement a key recommendation of Albanese's report. This is that corporate entities must promptly cease all business activities and terminate relationships directly linked with, contributing to and causing human rights violations and international crimes against the Palestinian people. It is unclear how many Palestinians Israel have killed in Gaza such is the scale of the destruction, with reports ranging from 55,000 to 90,000. The UN estimates that almost 70percent of structures in Gaza, including hospitals and schools, have been damaged or destroyed with almost two million people displaced from their homes, some as many as 10 times. UN reports state that over 250 people have now died from starvation since Israel's blockade on food supplies began with a further 500 killed by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) sourcing food at food banks The latest phase of the conflict began after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which killed almost 1,200 Israelis. The Albanese report also points the finger at some of the world's largest banks, stating that they stepped in and boosted market confidence by underwriting international and domestic bonds. The GAA were contacted but declined to comment, while a spokesperson for Allianz said: 'Our long-standing partnership with the GAA is about supporting Irish sport and communities. "Allianz Ireland is part of a global group, and while the wider group operates internationally across insurance and investment, as a matter of principle we do not comment on individual customers or business matters. "What we can say is that all Allianz business decisions are guided by strict legal standards and world-leading ESG principles.' Allianz' own website states: 'We regard respect for human rights as a minimum standard for responsible business. 'Allianz is committed to supporting and respecting the protection of international rights ensuring that Allianz is not complicit in human rights abuses.'
