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 pic.twitter.com/1vIHrsZGh3
— 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.”
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.”
Mr. Murphy’s partner, councillor Jess Spear, expressed “relief” that the group had been released from detention.
She said: “However, they still want to reach Rafah to try and get humanitarian aid into Gaza. That has been the sole purpose of being in Egypt.
“Paul has appealed to Tanaiste Simon Harris to put pressure on the Egyptian authorities to let the marchers reach Rafah. The situation of the people of Gaza worsens by the day as they suffer starvation imposed by Israel.
“We need to get humanitarian aid to them as quickly as possible.” Mr. Harris said embassies remain in close contact with members of the Irish community to offer assistance, adding that his department is working closely with European counterparts.
“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.”
