The Department of Foreign Affairs says that a Galway woman being detained by the Egyptian authorities is safe and well, and will be permitted to leave when diplomatic clearance is granted.
Treasa Ní Cheannabháin (56) from Barna, Co Galway, was held for questioning late last week after a trip to Gaza with her daughter and niece to distribute charity relief funds.
The three women were prevented from exiting Gaza through the Egyptian border crossing at Rafah after spending several days in the Palestinian territory in deteriorating security conditions.
However, Ms Ní Cheannabháin's daughter, medical student Naisrin Elsafty (19), and Egyptian niece, Seham Elhotty (26), were permitted to leave, as Ms Elsafty, who is Irish-Egyptian, had documentation, and Ms Elhotty is an Egyptian passport holder.
Ms Ní Cheannabháin was allowed into Egyptian territory late on Thursday night, but was immediately detained by Egyptian military border police. The department said it was liaising with the Egyptian authorities and her family to determine when she would be re-united with relatives.
A department spokeswoman said one of its duty officers at the Irish Embassy in Cairo had spoken directly to Ms Ní Cheannabháin and she was safe and well. Her husband, Egyptian doctor Saber Elsafty, was with her, the spokeswoman said.
It is understood Ms Ní Cheannabháin and a group of up to seven other nationalities who had left Gaza last week had been informed they must wait until the border at Rafah re-opened.
Ms Ní Cheannabháin, her daughter and niece had travelled into Gaza 10 days ago to distribute €7,700 to Palestinian communities on behalf of the Galway branch of the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said his department would "do everything possible", but added his department had warned Irish people not to travel to Gaza.
