Latest news with #PeopleBeforeProfit–Solidarity
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Paul Murphy's phone still withheld after Egyptian detention, passport returned
People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy has had his passport returned by Egyptian authorities, but says they have not had his phone returned after he was detained at a protest march yesterday. Mr Murphy was among a group detained in Egypt as around 3,000 activists worldwide were due to begin marching across the Sinai Desert on Friday to the Rafah border, demanding the opening of the crossing, the delivery of aid, and an end to Israel's ongoing bombardment of Gaza. The Department of Foreign Affairs, which has urged against travelling in the region because it is 'particularly dangerous,' has offered consular assistance, with Irish diplomats in Egypt working on the case. Yesterday, Mr Murphy said he was detained in the Egyptian city of Ismailia, with soldiers having confiscated his passport. They attempted to move detained individuals onto a bus, which he believes was intended for deportation out of Egypt. Mr Murphy said the detainees refused to board the bus. In a later update on X, Mr Murphy said that Egyptian authorities still had his phone, and told him that detainees were being sent to the airport. However, Mr Murphy said the route they took was not the same road they had travelled from, with the bus heading towards Cairo. 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 — Paul Murphy 🇵🇸 (@paulmurphy_TD) June 14, 2025 In his tweet, Mr Murphy said that 'violence got worse' after authorities seized his phone. He alleges that an American woman was 'badly kicked and beaten' and had her hijab torn off. The Dublin South-West TD later confirmed that he had been released late last night at the airport, while police still retained 'our phones.' "We are back in Cairo and meeting shortly to decide next steps," he wrote on X. "We're focused on Israel's genocide and starvation of Gaza. Thanks for your support. Free Palestine." On Saturday morning, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris said local embassy staff worked to secure the release of Irish citizens detained in Rafah and had secured the return of their passports. "I spoke directly to Deputy Murphy to confirm he and other Irish people have been released from detention, had their passports returned and were receiving consular assistance," Mr Harris said. "The wellbeing and safety of all Irish citizens abroad is always of concern to me and to my Department. I am aware some Irish citizens have not had their phones returned by the authorities and I have asked our embassy to pursue this.' People Before Profit–Solidarity Paul Murphy TD at Leinster House on the Plinth, with his bag backed ahead of his trip to Cairo where he planned to attend the 'March to Gaza'. Picture: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos Separately, the Tánaiste said he had held calls with Ireland's ambassadors to Israel, Iran, and Egypt over escalating Middle East tensions. He said: "I am pleased to say our Embassy staff are safe and well. 'This is a dangerous moment for the Middle East. I am deeply concerned about the continuing exchange of air attacks between Israel and Iran. "Our Embassies are in close contact with members of the Irish community to offer assistance. We are also working closely with our European counterparts in relation to the situation that is unfolding. 'My Department continues to advise against all travel to Iran and Israel for Irish citizens. 'Irish citizens in the region are advised to be vigilant and to follow the advice of local authorities, including any orders to shelter in place.'
Irish Examiner
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Deportation flights to expand to more countries, justice minister confirms
Deportation flights from Ireland will fly to additional countries in the future, the Justice Minister has confirmed. Jim O'Callaghan was speaking after the second charter flight to Georgia deported 39 people last week. Georgia has been the chosen destination of the first two flights due to the "very high" number of individuals continuing to apply for asylum from Georgia and being refused, Mr O'Callaghan said. The Government is in the process of obtaining agreements from a number of other countries to accept the return of their citizens from Ireland. Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1's Today with Claire Byrne, Mr O'Callaghan said that there are plans for future flights to other countries but for operational reasons he would not be providing any information on where these flights will go. "We are in negotiations with lots of countries. Most countries are very receptive to approaches from the Irish Government," said Mr O'Callaghan. "They want to comply with their international obligations, and many of them will be happy to receive back persons who are in Ireland unlawfully and are originally from those countries." People Before Profit–Solidarity TD Paul Murphy called the chartered flights "expensive, performative cruelty" used to try and send a message that the Government is being tough on immigration. Mr Murphy accused the Government of making a media spectacle of the deportations in an act of "vice signalling." The deportation of 30 men, four women and five children to Georgia last week will not make any Irish person's life better, he said. People remaining in the country after their application has been refused is not a major problem, Mr Murphy said, adding that less than 1% of IPAS residents are subject to an active deportation order. The Minister denied that the use of chartered flights to deport individuals is about more than sending a message. There has to be a consequence when an application has been refused, and while the preferred option is to have people return voluntarily, this is not always the case. "If there is not a consequence, it is going to mean that the system is pointless because whether you get [asylum] or not, you are staying," said Mr O'Callaghan. To date this year, 652 people have been repatriated, including 71 who were subject to enforced deportation. Read More European foreign ministers condemn Israeli plans for Gaza escalation
