People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy has been detained by Egyptian authorities after flying to Cairo to take part in a protest march to the Gaza border.
A spokesperson for People Before Profit confirmed that Mr Murphy had been detained as part of a group.
Around 3,000 activists from around the world were due to begin marching across the Sinai Desert on Friday to the Rafah border to demand the opening of the crossing, the entry of aid, and an end to Israel’s ongoing bombardment.
Mr Murphy was scheduled to participate in the march, alongside a number of other Irish campaigners.
Another People Before Profit activist, Kellie McConnell, has also been detained by local authorities.
It was confirmed yesterday that at least three Irish citizens had been arrested by Egyptian authorities ahead of the march.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed at the time that it was contacted by “a small number of citizens” and is providing consular assistance.
Yesterday, a spokesperson for the march, Saif Abukeshek, told AFP that over 200 participants were either detained at Cairo Airport or questioned in hotels across the city.
Mr Abukeshek said plainclothes police entered hotels in Cairo with lists of names, questioned activists, and in some cases, confiscated mobile phones and searched personal belongings.
“After interrogations, some were arrested and others were released,” he added.
The DFA has urged against travelling through the Sinai Desert, describing the situation as “extremely dangerous.”
“Travel to Gaza via the Rafah border crossing, the vicinity of the Rafah border crossing is particularly dangerous at the moment and the border crossing is currently closed,” DFA advice currently states.
Mr Murphy said he is currently detained in the Egyptian city of Ismailia, with Egyptian soldiers having confiscated his passport.
They are attempting to move detained individuals onto a bus, which he believes is intended for deportation out of Egypt. Mr Murphy said individuals who have been detained are refusing to board the bus.
In a later update on X, Mr Murphy said that Egyptian authorities still have his phone, while adding they have told him that individuals detained are being sent to the airport.
However, Mr Murphy said it is not the same road they travelled from, with the bus moving towards Cairo.
In his tweet, Mr Murphy said that “violence got worse” after his phone was seized by authorities.
He alleges that an American woman was “badly kicked and beaten” while also having her hijab torn off.
In a statement, National Secretary of People Before Profit, Matt Collins, called on the Irish Government to demand the release of Irish citizens detained by Egyptian authorities.
“They are on a peaceful march to demand that humanitarian aid is delivered to starving people in Gaza. There is no reason for them to be detained,” Mr Collins said.
In a video posted on X, Mr Murphy said: “It’s looking worrying that the Egyptian authorities are going to act to prevent our peaceful march to Gaza to demand that Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid, of food, of water, of medical supplies, is ended.”
Responding to the unfolding situation, Labour’s Duncan Smith offered full solidarity to Mr Murphy and criticised any attempts to block those seeking to raise awareness and bring transparency to what is happening in Gaza.
The party’s foreign affairs spokesperson said he hoped that Mr Murphy and those marching with him will be permitted to continue on their journey unhindered. Should that not be the case, Mr Smith emphasised that all those detained must be treated fairly and with respect at all times.
Social Democrats councillor Mark Barry is also among those participating in the march and was turned around at a checkpoint in Ismailia but not detained.
Posting an update on social media, the Wicklow man confirmed that “a number of Irish delegates” had been detained, had their passports taken and were put on a “windowless bus” by the Egyptian army in Cairo.
“We assume that they are going to be deported. We are on our way back to Cairo where we will try and regroup and continue to be your voice for the people of Gaza to try and stop this inhumane action,” Mr Barry said.
“Please amplify any messages you see. Please get in touch with all of your representatives at home and the Egyptian embassy. This is a peaceful protest, an international, civilian-led, peaceful protest and we are being stopped from having our voices heard.”
Mr Barry’s party colleague, Jennifer Whitmore, called on the Taoiseach and Tánaiste to intervene in the situation.
“It is very important that the Taoiseach and Tánaiste contact the Egyptian government immediately and insist that Irish citizens have their passports returned and are allowed free and safe passage,” said Ms Whitmore.
She said those participating in the march should be allowed to cross the border into Gaza, express their outrage and get the message out that aid must be allowed to reach the people.
“The reports of people, among them Irish citizens, having their passports seized and attempts being made to deport them is disturbing and deeply concerning,” Ms Whitmore said.
Sinn Féin’s Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire also condemned the detention of Mr Murphy and others involved in the March for Gaza.
“This was an initiative to try break the blockade of Gaza, to increase pressure on the Israeli government who are starving the people of Gaza, and it is deeply disappointing that Egyptian government is giving cover to them in this way,” said Mr Ó Laoghaire.
