Taoiseach Micheál Martin has strongly criticised the interception by Israel of an aid flotilla, which had at least 10 Irish citizens on board.
Mr Martin has called out this interception, and demanded that those detained are released immediately. The Israeli authorities have been called to uphold their obligations under international law, by the Government.
The flotilla was intercepted around 70 nautical miles off Cyprus.
In a statement, Mr Martin said: "I strongly condemn the interception of boats in the Sumud flotilla in international waters and the detention of those on board by Israeli military forces, and call for their immediate release".
The Taoiseach went on to say that the Government is in direct contact with the Israeli authorities as they seek for the release of those detained, which includes Dr Margaret Connolly, sister of President Catherine Connolly.
"The Government has raised concerns for the welfare of those detained with the Israeli authorities", he said. "Such interceptions and detentions are wholly unacceptable and must stop. The Government will also discuss with EU partners how we can ensure the safety and wellbeing of our citizens".
Speaking about this, Sligo councillor, Declan Bree said: "How many times will Israel kidnap Irish citizens before our Government sanctions it?", before going on to say that it "spoke volumes" there had been no statement from the Taoiseach or the Government.
This interception was condemned by the Government, with a spokesperson saying: "We condemn the interception of vessels in international waters and call on the Israeli authorities to uphold their obligations under international law to ensure the safety and welfare of all those on board the flotilla".
"We are aware of the ongoing Israeli operation in international waters to the west of Cyprus, and that this is impacting a number of Irish citizens", they added. "While the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has long advised against all travel to both Israel and Palestine, our immediate priority is the safety and wellbeing of Irish citizens on board the Flotilla".
"Officials from across the DFAT, including those in our embassies in the region, continue to liaise with the relevant authorities, and stand ready to provide consular assistance to Irish citizens that need it".
Videos were soon posted from Dr Connolly and five others, which seemed to be recorded prior to their detention.
"If you are watching this video, it means I have been kidnapped from my boat in the flotilla by the Israeli occupying forces, and I'm now being held illegally in an Israeli prison", Dr Connolly said. "I am so proud to be taking part in this flotilla - it is the largest to date".
Reacting to this, her sister President Catherine Connolly said this happened on international waters, and called her sister's detention, "quite upsetting".
She said: "It's quite upsetting, and I'm very worried about her, and I'm also very concerned about her colleagues on board".
The President went on to add that she "hadn't really had a chance to get details" regarding her sister or the others on board the flotilla, due to her "very busy" schedule.
Elsewhere, Cllr Bree said that he has had "no communication whatsoever" with Margaret since her detention.
He did say they "assume now she is on the prison ship, that is what they did on the last occasion when they abducted flotilla volunteers off the coast of Crete".
Mr Bree added that "no state has the right to police or occupy international waters", but this is what Israel are doing.
The councillor revealed that he had spoken to his wife at 9am yesterday morning, when she told him that the Israeli military ships were approaching boats, including hers. He then revealed that communication broke down, assuming that she and others threw their phones into the waters to stop Israeli authorities from accessing them,
He explained: "The boat in which my wife was sailing was unarmed, its mission was peaceful and yet we know it was boarded with force by the Israeli military, its crew of international volunteers abducted, and its cargo was confiscated".
