Irish pensioner ‘facing deportation’ from Israel

By Rebecca Black, PA

An Irish pensioner is facing deportation from Israel, a group has said.

The International Solidarity Movement said Deirdre “D” Murphy (70) was detained along with a Swedish citizen by the Israeli authorities on June 1st in the village of Khalet Al-Daba’a in Masafer Yatta on the West Bank.

The group, which supports Palestinian residents in the West Bank, said Ms Murphy is “fighting the unjust deportation order and is facing time in jail”, after being arrested, adding: “We demand action now.”

Originally from Cork but living in Swansea in Wales, Ms Murphy was arrested alongside Swedish activist Susanne Björk (48) in Khalet al-Daba’a, a small Palestinian village that was largely demolished by Israeli forces in early May.

According to The Irish Times, the women activists were reportedly stopped while leaving the village by Israeli settlers serving as reservists with the military.

The Israeli police were called and subsequently detained Ms Murphy and Ms Björk for being in a closed military zone.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said they were aware of the case and providing consular assistance.

“As with all consular cases, the department does not comment on the details of individual cases,” they added.