A GROUP OF Irish citizens who were illegally detained in international waters by Israel while taking part in a Gaza-bound aid flotilla have returned home today.

They were some of the first of over 400 activists to arrive in Istanbul on Thursday after being deported by Israel, following widespread condemnation of a video showing the activists with their hands tied and foreheads on the ground.

The group of activists landed in Dublin Airport and were welcomed by a crowd of hundreds of supporters.

There were cheers in the terminal as friends and family hugged their loved ones, with others singing pro-Palestinian chants and waving flags and banners.

Dr Margaret Connolly, sister of Ireland’s President Catherine Connolly, was among the arrivals.

The Irish branch of the Global Sumud had invited people to come out and welcome them home. Friends, family and pro-Palestinian activists waited in terminal one of the airport for the activists to land on a flight from Istanbul, which was due around 1pm.

Similar scenes could be seen in other countries welcoming back activists illegally detained by Israel, including Amsterdam and Spain.

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Dr Margaret Connolly, sister of Ireland’s President Catherine Connolly, was among the arrivals.

The Irish branch of the Global Sumud had invited people to come out and welcome them home. Friends, family and pro-Palestinian activists waited in terminal one of the airport for the activists to land on a flight from Istanbul, which was due around 1pm.

Similar scenes could be seen in other countries welcoming back activists illegally detained by Israel, including Amsterdam and Spain.

Activists Saif Abukeshek (c) and IAC delegations secretary and Flotilla participant Ariadna Masmitjà, 'Masmi' (l), on their arrival at El Prat airport, 23 May 2026, in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

‘Barbaric’

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said there was “a lot of anger” across the EU at the video, which was shared by Israel’s far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, adding that it had “shocked the world”.

Dr Margaret Connolly, the sister of President Catherine Connolly, is among the 14 Irish citizens who were detained by Israeli forces. 

Speaking on RTÉ’s Drivetime, Connolly said she is “absolutely exhausted” after the experience, which she described as “barbaric”.

Connolly said she was “kidnapped and abducted and held against our will on a warship, which was a prison ship”.

“We were all bent down like hogs and kept in this position for hours,” said Connolly.