Irish pair held amid Gaza aid ship dispute released
Two Irish men detained by Greek officials after a dispute broke out on a ship containing aid for Gaza were released today.
The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed aid workers David Callander and Ken O’Keefe were freed by Greek authorities and allowed to leave the country.
It is understood both the film-maker and former US marine were charged with causing minor damage to the ship before their release.
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said: “We have issued them with emergency travel documents and continue to provide consular assistance.”
The volunteers were part of the Road to Hope convoy bringing aid to Gaza.
However, the vessel, Strofades IV, was taken to Greece on Thursday after a serious dispute broke out between the boat’s Greek captain and the organisers of the aid convoy.
Mr Callander claimed a Greek swat team with 50 to 60 commandos boarded the ship when it docked and held the volunteers, who included seven British nationals and an Algerian, at gunpoint against their will.
