The family of activist Tom Deasy have spoken of their relief that he is on his way home to West Cork after being released from detention in Israel.
The 46 year old is one of 14 Irish activists Israeli forces detained on Monday after intercepting the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla near Cyprus.
Today, Tom's family in Clonakilty, Castlefreke and Rosscarbery have been told he was on the way to the airport after a gruelling 72-hours in detention. He is being deported from Israel to Turkey and expected back in Ireland tomorrow.
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His sister, Ciara Deasy Murphy, told The Southern Star about the stress and anxiety the events had caused.
‘The last couple of days have been intense and all of us have gone through so many different emotions,’ she said.
‘There’s a feeling of worry in my stomach, but the strongest and best emotion is our pride. We are so proud of Thomas and the flotilla crew.’
The mum-of-two from Castlefreke said a lot of people wanted to see change in Gaza but no one was willing to send their loved one.
Activists' treatment condemned
‘There’s always a family behind it. My mum is 78 and is finding the whole thing very disturbing.’
Family members were appalled to see footage circulating yesterday of Israel's national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, walking among the detainees.
The video showed activists who were made to kneel on the ground with their heads down and hands tied behind their back.
One video clip showed an Irish activist being pushed to the ground and manhandled by military personnel after shouting ‘Free Palestine’.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has criticised the treatment as ‘disgusting’ and ‘disgraceful’.
‘As happy as I am to have Thomas coming home, the abuse that he and others endured is in my mind,’ said Mrs Deasy Murphy.
‘We did not see what happened on the boat and everything that happened in detention. What we saw was the best of it. By having their egotistical moment and posting that video, Israel has made the world aware of the conditions.’
She added she wished people knew the full extent of the treatment the flotilla endured.
Tom Deasy’s sister has received updates from a team of lawyers who provided counsel to many of the activists after their visits to the detention centre at Ashdod Port last night, including reports of extreme violence, sexual humiliation and severe injuries.
The lawyers said the detainees, around 430, had been processed by Israeli immigration and many were transferred to Ktziot prison.
‘Whatever my brother has been through, I want it to stand for something,’ she added.
Support from community
The support from large parts of the West Cork community had been outstanding and many attended two vigils the Deasy family organised in Clonakilty this week.
‘Our neighbours have been ringing all week and can’t do enough for us. A lot of people have been very supportive,’ said Mrs Deasy Murphy.
Tom went to school in Lisavaird and Rosscarbery, works as a tour guide and became a Pro-Palestinian activist following the attacks on October 7th 2023. He travelled to Israel and the West Bank last year.
Mrs Deasy Murphy, who also organises Pro-Palestinian events and fundraisers, said one of her biggest upsets was yesterday’s Dáil vote on the Sanctions Against the State of Israel Bill, defeated by 15 votes. She has called for action from the government.
‘We’re just hearing excuse after excuse. There’s no reason why we have to wait for the EU to give approval. Spain isn’t doing that and has imposed sanctions,’ she added.
She said local Cllr Isobel Towse and Social Democrat leader Holly Cairns had been very supportive. The Social Democrat leader had phoned her before a meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin asking what message she could relay on behalf of the family.
Ciara Deasy Murphy said a constant over the last week had been the Global Sumud Flotilla’s support group on WhatsApp, where updates and messages of support were exchanged between the activists’ relatives and friends.
She is looking forward to her brother Tom’s return home tomorrow, along with her parents, Tom and Carmel Deasy who founded Milltown Farm Dairies in Castlefreke, and siblings Killian, Patrick and Tara Deasy, Orla Hayes and Tom’s girlfriend Sinead Sheehan, and their extended family.
