Dr Margaret Connolly, the Irish President’s sister, has been captured by Israeli forces in the Mediterranean.

Margaret was believed to be among six Irish citizens taken by the IDF as they sailed alongside the Global Sumud Flotilla, aiming to break the maritime blockade of Gaza.

She was understood to be on board the vessel, Blue Toys, which was intercepted by the Israeli military on Monday morning. She was the assigned medic for the boat.

Margaret has been a long-time activist in the Palestine solidarity movement while running a successful GP practice in Sligo for around 40 years.

She is one of the President’s 13 siblings, growing up in Shantalla, Galway, and she is married to long-serving county councillor Declan Bree.

Flotilla is the largest civilian maritime effort to date to break the siege of Gaza, comprising over 80 vessels and 1,000 participants from more than 100 countries.

It is attempting to bring essential supplies, including food, medicine, and baby formula, to address the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

Margaret joined the flotilla in Sicily, alongside other Irish volunteers, before it left the port of Augusta last month.

She spoke to The Sligo Champion before departing from Italy, where she declared that ‘we cannot stand by while millions are subjected to forced starvation and an illegal siege’.

Margaret told the paper at the time: ‘They (Israeli Defence Forces) have no right to board our boat. If they do, then we will offer no resistance. We will put our hands in the air and there will be no violence from us. We will offer no excuse to the IDF to shoot us.’

She added that the activists were ‘prepared to be arrested’.