President Catherine Connolly's sister 'prepared to be arrested' as she sets sail on Freedom Flotilla
Dr Connolly has been an activist in the Palestine solidarity movement for a long time
President Catherine Connolly's sister, Dr Margaret Connolly, is "prepared to be arrested" as she makes her way to Gaza on a Freedom Flotilla.
Dr Connolly has been an activist in the Palestine solidarity movement for a long time, and according to the Irish Independent, set sail on a boat aiming to reach Gaza on Sunday.
It's in an attempt to deliver life-saving aid, such as food and baby formula, and to challenge the ongoing blockade by Israel.
Dr Connolly is one of 14 siblings who grew up in Galway, but she is a well-known GP in Sligo.
The mission she is part of includes over 80 vessels and 1,000 people from over 100 countries, making it the biggest civilian maritime effort to break the siege of Gaza so far.
"I have joined the flotilla because we cannot stand by while millions are subjected to forced starvation and an illegal siege. The flotilla is a powerful symbol of international solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, who are enduring an ongoing genocide and an inhumane blockade now approaching its 18th year," she explained.
Israel put a naval block on the Gaza strip in January 2009, with the first Gaza Freedom Flotilla being raided by Israeli forces in 2010.
10 people were killed and dozens were injured.
Flotillas that attempted the same mission in 2011, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2025 were all intercepted, raided or attacked by Israeli forces.
The same thing happened to several flotillas on the same mission last year.
There are four Irish people on the boat with Dr Connolly, as well as people from Scotland, Norway, and America.
"We are prepared to be arrested but we will obey and we will not react or give any cause for them to shoot or beat us," she said.
The group has received training on what to do if Israeli forces board the boat and Dr Connolly belives she does have the strength to get through an arrest, should it happen.
An SOS video has been prepared in advance, outlining the situation regarding being arrested and requesting the help of the international community.
The journey is expected to last anywhere between two and four weeks, with those on board knowing it is unlikely that they will reach their destination.