Irish President’s Sister Joins Gaza Flotilla
28th April 2026
Dr. Margaret Conolly, sister of Irish president Catherine Connolly, has joined an international flotilla attempting to challenge Israel’s long-standing naval blockade of Gaza, setting sail on Sunday, April 27, as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla.
The mission, which organisers describe as a humanitarian effort to deliver medical aid and open a maritime corridor to Gaza, is expected to face interception by Israeli forces, as with previous attempts over the past two decades.
Dr. Conolly’s participation comes against the backdrop of a sharp shift in Irish politics following the election of her sister, Catherine Connolly, a far-left independent who secured a landslide victory in October 2025. The president has been an outspoken critic of Israel and Western governments over Gaza, repeatedly accusing them of moral failure and aligning herself with pro-Palestinian positions.