Eleven Irish citizens detained by Israeli soldiers when their flotilla was intercepted and boarded in international waters have arrived at Dublin Airport.
There were cheers in the terminal as friends and family hugged their loved ones. Hundreds of people had gathered to welcome them home, singing pro-Palestinian chants and waving flags and banners.
The activists arrived in Turkey yesterday evening after they were deported from Israel.
The Department of Foreign Affairs says it is providing all appropriate consular assistance.
Fourteen Irish citizens were among 430 detained members of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which set out to break the blockade of the Palestinian territory and deliver aid to Gazans.
Footage of Israeli authorities' treatment of flotilla protesters was posted online by Israel's far right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who appeared to be mocking the detainees.
It showed people kneeling on the ground in tightly packed groups with their hands tied behind their backs.
The video and the detention of the flotilla participants has been condemned by senior Irish Government figures and across the European Union.
Speaking to RTÉ News at Dublin Airport, Aileen Weinmann, a sister of flotilla member Colm Byrne, said: "It was a tough week, I have to say.
"Just when we saw the clips that were coming out, absolutely horrified. When I did get to speak to Colm, he had a short phone call, and he just said it was tough. It was very, very tough.
"I think he said he had a lump on the back of his head, but he didn't say any more. I suppose he didn't want to worry me or whatever, and he just said 'All is good, all is good'."
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Speaking on RTÉ's Drivetime yesterday, one of the Irish flotilla members, Dr Margaret Connolly, said that she and the other activists were "kidnapped and abducted" by Israeli forces and that some of the group had been subjected to physical or sexual assaults.
"My colleagues experienced 35 fractures, five head injuries," she said.
"There was 15 sexual assaults, eye injuries, ear injuries. A huge number of laser injuries. People experienced broken feet. There was bullets shot at people's feet."
Another Irish flotilla member, Tom Deasy, said that he had a rifle "bashed into my back" and that he had been punched in the head.
Mr Deasy claimed that only 10 people said they had not been beaten.
Prosecutors in Rome are investigating the possible crimes of kidnapping, torture and sexual assault and will hear testimony from activists who have returned to Italy over the coming days, an Italian legal source said.
"The allegations raised are false and entirely without factual basis," an Israeli prison service spokesperson said in a statement.
"The allegations raised are false and entirely without factual basis," an Israeli prison service spokesperson said in a statement.
"All prisoners and detainees are held in accordance with the law, with full regard for their basic rights and under the supervision of professional and trained prison staff," it said. "Medical care is provided according to professional medical judgment and in accordance with Ministry of Health guidelines."
