Family's "huge relief" as Moate flotilla activist is deported from Israel

The family of Moate woman Louise McCormack, who was one of the Irish activists detained earlier this week in an Iraeli military operation against a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, have said they're hugely relieved to hear that she has now been deported from Israel and is en route to Istanbul, Turkey.

Louise McCormack's mother, who is also Louise (née Slammon) told the Westmeath Independent that the Irish Embassy had been in contact within the last few hours and had confirmed her daughter was on board a flight out of Israel.

"It's such a relief. A member of the Irish Embassy phoned and said they saw her getting on the plane (to Istanbul), so she's on that plane now," Louise's mother said at lunchtime.

Since last month, Louise McCormack had been travelling as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, and had been on the same boat as Sligo's Margaret Connolly, sister of President Catherine Connolly.

Her mother said those on board had thrown their phones into the ocean as they were being intercepted by the Israeli military on Monday morning. Their detention by Israel has been strongly condemned by the Taoiseach and other top Government officials.

"Just before they had to throw away their phones, my daughter sent me a video chat. She said they had to throw away their phones now, but she was telling me not to be worried about her," said Louise.

"It was very emotional, and Margaret (Connolly) came on the phone as well. She said, 'I love your daughter to bits, she's kept me going for the last five weeks'."

Louise, a resident of St Patrick's Crescent in Moate, said that from an early age her daughter had been very strong-willed and determined.

Two and a half weeks before she was intercepted by Israel on Monday, Louise and fellow activists on her boat escaped arrest when Iraeli forces approached and detained other activists travelling as part of the flotilla.

"(At that time) my daughter got out with an Irish flag and waved it. My heart was in my mouth when I heard about that. (The Israeli soldiers) didn't take them that time - they took some of the others - so I think the Irish flag had a lot to say about that."

Yesterday, Israel's police minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video online in which he was shown walking among detained flotilla activists who had been forced to kneel on the ground in rows with their hands tied behind their ⁠backs.

In the clip, one Irish woman was shown being forced to the ground by officers after she had shouted "free Palestine".

Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee said she was "appalled and shocked" by the video.

Knowing that her daughter was among the detained activists, Louise said the footage had been very upsetting.

"It was fierce distressing. I was crying... I was just very emotional about it," she said.

However, that distress has turned to relief today with the news that her daughter is now on her way out of detention in Israel.

Minister McEntee said today that 14 Irish citizens were in the process of being deported to Turkey.

Speaking on RTÉ radio, Ms McEntee said it was "important for their families to know that they are on their way to the airport" and that "they are safe".