AN activist from West Cork is one of 13 Irish citizens detained after Israeli forces intercepted an aid flotilla heading for Gaza.
Tom Deasy, from Castlefreke, was aboard a Global Sumud Flotilla vessel bringing food and medical supplies to Gaza, which was intercepted by the Israeli navy near Cyprus on May 18th.
His most recent Instagram video showed navy vessels approaching, with flotilla crew sitting on deck wearing orange life vests.
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‘I can’t tell you how grateful I am to see the morning each day because obviously night time here is when we anticipate interception from the IDF. And thankfully we made it through another night,’ said Tom Deasy in a video posted just days before he was detained.
In the video, the West Cork tour guide said he understood the risks of being part of the flotilla.
‘The reality is we are here because of the failures of our government,’ he added.
Tom’s family and friends gathered for a vigil in Clonakilty on Tuesday, carrying Palestinian flags and photos of the flotilla activist.
Minister of State Christopher O’Sullivan said he was continuing to push for the safety and immediate release of Tom, as well as all other Irish citizens illegally detained.
‘It’s a very stressful time for the Deasy family and I’m thinking of them all,’ said Cllr Isobel Towse who called on the Irish government to take action against Israel.
Another Cork man among the detained crew is 26-year-old Josh St Leger from Crosshaven.
‘There wasn’t a weapon to be seen. There wasn’t a notice of resistance among the crew. They did exactly what they were told to do by the Israelis,’ his mother Linda told Cork’s 96FM after watching a livestream of armed Israeli forces on a flotilla boat.
Among the flotilla crew detained is President Catherine Connolly’s sister, Dr Margaret Connolly from Sligo.
The Global Sumud Flotilla said 48 vessels had been intercepted, with a total of around 430 people detained.
The interception has been widely condemned, including by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste.
