Local Sinn Féin councillors are to hold a protest in Monaghan town this afternoon as part of a Sinn Féin national day of protest at the murder by the Israeli Army of humanitarian activists taking aid to the people of The Gaza this morning.

The protest will take place at the Courthouse in Monaghan town at 5pm. South Monaghan councillor Matt Carthy has said that there must be action from the International Community and called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs to summon the Israeli Ambassador and expel him from the Country. “It looks as though this cold and calculated attack took place in international waters, in breach of all international maritime laws.  There must be action from the international community” Cllr. Carthy stated.

Cllr Carthy also said that Foreign Affairs Minister Mícheál Martin must summon the Israeli Ambassador and expel him from the Country.  Furthermore, Cllr Carthy added that the preferential trade agreement with Israel must be ended. “This was a humanitarian aid mission carrying 10,000 tonnes of aid to the besieged city of Gaza.  The blockade of Gaza is illegal under International law. At all stages of preparations to join the flotilla the organisers’ reiterated non-violent and peaceful resistance to any boarding by Israeli army. The Israelis had nothing to fear from this flotilla.  The attack has left up to 20 dead and fifty injured and 10,000 tons of much needed aid wasted,”the Sinn Féin representative continued.

Cllr Carthy concluded by saying his thoughts were with the families of those who were killed describing them as “courageous” men and women.