Latest news with #IrishEmbassy
BreakingNews.ie
5 hours ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Paul Murphy released by Egyptian authorities
People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy has been released by Egyptian authorities after being detained for a second time on Monday. Mr Murphy had first been detained on Friday while attempting to march to the Rafah crossing into Gaza as part of a large demonstration to deliver aid into the blockaded enclave. Advertisement He was one of a number of Irish people who were expected to take part in the march. The opposition politician said his phone and passport were confiscated before he and others were put on a bus to Cairo airport, where they believed they would be deported. All Irish people who were detained were then released but some did not have their phones returned. On Monday, Mr Murphy went to a police station in Cairo to retrieve his phone. Advertisement People Before Profit said this was done on the advice of the Irish Embassy. He then sent messages from the station that he was concerned that his passport had been taken again and was told he could not leave. He then attempted to leave, but the party said he and others were prevented from doing so. 'I have been detained in the Abdeen police station in Cairo,' the party quotes Mr Murphy as saying. Advertisement 'On the advice of the Irish embassy, I went to the station at 12.30pm Egyptian time to enquire about my phone that they took. 'They 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.' Mr Murphy's partner and Dublin councillor Jess Spear asked the Government to intervene. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was providing consular assistance. Advertisement People Before Profit said after 8pm Irish time that Mr Murphy had been released with his passport, and is to 'fly out' on Tuesday morning. The Global March to Gaza is a civilian movement that aims to march from Egypt to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid and increase pressure so that vital supplies to the besieged region are unblocked. A blockade on Gaza was imposed by Israel when it ended a ceasefire with Hamas earlier this year. This has deepened fears of famine, while a new Israeli-US aid system has been marred by violence. Advertisement It comes as Israel's 20-month military campaign in Gaza continues, during which an estimated 55,000 Palestinians have been killed. Israel launched a military offensive in Gaza after Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people and abducted 251 hostages on October 7th, 2023.
The Independent
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Irish politician detained by Egyptian authorities for the second time
Irish parliamentarian Paul Murphy was detained in Cairo after attempting to retrieve his phone, which was confiscated during a march to the Rafah crossing into Gaza. Murphy, along with other Irish citizens, was initially detained on Friday while participating in a demonstration to deliver aid to Gaza. After being released from initial detention, Murphy went to a Cairo police station on the advice of the Irish embassy to retrieve his phone, but his passport was taken, and he was prevented from leaving. Murphy's partner, Jess Spear, has urged Irish Deputy Premier Simon Harris to intervene and ensure the release of Murphy and other participants in the Global March to Gaza. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed they are providing consular assistance in this case, as the Global March to Gaza aims to deliver humanitarian aid and increase pressure to unblock vital supplies to the besieged region amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Independent
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Irish politician detained again by Egyptian authorities
An Irish parliamentarian has been detained again by Egyptian authorities after trying to retrieve his phone at a Cairo police station. His partner has urged the Irish deputy premier to intervene in the case. Paul Murphy, a TD (MP) for People Before Profit-Solidarity, had been detained on Friday while attempting to march to the Rafah crossing into Gaza as part of a large demonstration to deliver aid into the blockaded enclave. He was one of a number of Irish people who were expected to take part in the march. The opposition politician said his phone and passport were confiscated before he and others were put on a bus to Cairo airport, where they believed they would be deported. All Irish people who were detained were then released but some did not have their phones returned. On Monday, Mr Murphy went to a police station in the Egyptian capital to retrieve his phone. People Before Profit said this was done on the advice of the Irish embassy. He then sent messages from the station that he was concerned that his passport had been taken again and was told he could not leave. He then attempted to leave, but the party said he and others have been prevented from doing so. 'I have been detained in the Abdeen police station in Cairo,' the party quotes Mr Murphy as saying. 'On the advice of the Irish embassy, I went to the station at 12.30pm Egyptian time to enquire about my phone that they took. 'They 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.' Mr Murphy's partner and Dublin councillor Jess Spear has appealed for the Irish Government to intervene. 'I appeal to Tanaiste Simon Harris to intervene urgently with the Egyptian authorities,' she said. 'The Tanaiste must ensure that Paul and all the Global March to Gaza participants are released, have their passports returned and are allowed to continue their humanitarian mission to try and get aid to the people of Gaza.' The Global March to Gaza is a civilian movement that aims to march from Egypt to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid and increase pressure so that vital supplies to the besieged region are unblocked. A blockade on Gaza was imposed by Israel when it ended a ceasefire with Hamas earlier this year. This has deepened fears of famine, while a new Israeli-US aid system has been marred by violence. It comes as Israel's 20-month military campaign in Gaza continues, during which an estimated 55,000 Palestinians have been killed. Israel launched a military offensive in Gaza after Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people and abducted 251 hostages on October 7 2023.
