THE IRISH CITIZENS who were taken from the Global Sumud Flotilla while sailing to Gaza have been released from prison in Israel.

Tánaiste Simon Harris confirmed in a statement that “the Irish citizens detained in Israel have been released and are currently on their journey home”.

Harris welcomed the outcome of what he said were “intensive efforts by officials from across my Department, including the Embassy team in Tel Aviv, working in conjunction with international partners”.

“15 Irish citizens are returning home after being held illegally in one of the most infamous prisons for human rights abuses in Israel, after their vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla were illegally intercepted in international waters,” a statement from the flotilla’s Irish support group said.  

There were 16 Irish people held by Israel, but Global Movement to Gaza Éire said that one of them - Michael Fix – is a US passport holder who is subject to a different deportation process.

The Irish people released are as follows:

Caitriona Graham, Chris Andrews, Colm Byrne, Cormac O’Daly, Diarmuid MacDubhghlais, Donna Schwarz, Louise Heaney, Maureen Almai, Paddy Kelly, Patrick O’Donovan, Sarah Clancy, Tadhg Hickey, Tara O’Grady, Tara Sheehy, and Thomas McCune.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed Irish citizens were among 171 people released from detention today. Among them is Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. 

171 additional provocateurs from the Hamas–Sumud flotilla, including Greta Thunberg, were deported today from Israel to Greece and Slovakia.

The deportees are citizens of Greece, Italy, France, Ireland, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Austria, Luxembourg, Finland,… pic.twitter.com/DqcGLOJov7

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 6, 2025

The Israeli statement on X described the released activists as “provocateurs” and called the flotilla, which aimed to bring food and medical supplies to the starving people of Gaza, “the Hamas-Sumud Flotilla”.

Israel has repeatedly referred to the people who sailed across the Mediterranean as “terrorists” who were “serving Hamas”. The activists have rejected that accusation, as has the Irish government. 

“The deportees are citizens of Greece, Italy, France, Ireland, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Austria, Luxembourg, Finland, Denmark, Slovakia, Switzerland, Norway, the UK, Serbia, and the United States.” the Israeli Foreign Ministry said, which accused one participant of “biting” a prison guard. 

There were a number of reports of the detainees being kept in poor conditions and subjected to various forms of abuse. 

In his statement, Harris paid tribute to the strength of the friends and families of those who were held in detention, adding that Department of Foreign Affairs officials would keep them updated.

He also said officials were monitoring the progress of another aid flotilla carrying Irish citizens that is currently en route to Palestine.

“While my Department continues to advise against travel to the Gaza Strip, in this case our clear priority is to ensure the welfare of our citizens,” he said. 

Niamh Mac Namara, coordinator with Global Movement to Gaza Éire the Irish government’s inaction regarding Israel’s war on Gaza “has directly led to this situation, ordinary Irish citizens forced to risk their lives because leaders refused to act”.

“What happened was completely illegal under international law and should never have been allowed.

“If Ireland had imposed sanctions on the genocidal state of Israel and upheld human rights, this mission would never have been necessary. We demand immediate political action to protect those still sailing to Gaza and to end our complicity in this genocide.”