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There is a growing tendency among our Irish politicians and officials to speak about international law on Gaza as though the legal position is completely settled and universally agreed.
It is not.
Whether people support or oppose Israel’s actions, it is important to state the law accurately rather than selectively.
Israel imposed a naval blockade on Gaza during an ongoing armed conflict with Hamas, which has controlled the territory since Hamas violently seized power in 2007. The blockade was formally declared in 2009 and was justified by Israel as a security measure aimed at preventing weapons smuggling by sea.
Under international law, naval blockades are not automatically illegal as our heads of government publically declare. In fact, the law of armed conflict at sea explicitly recognises them under certain conditions.
The most widely cited framework on this issue is the San Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflicts at Sea, found HERE. While it is not itself a treaty, it is widely regarded as an authoritative restatement of customary international law by legal and naval experts.
The San Remo Manual states that vessels attempting to breach a lawful naval blockade may be intercepted, including in international waters under certain circumstances.
This is not merely an Israeli interpretation. The 2011 UN Palmer Report concluded that Israel’s naval blockade was a legitimate security measure and that its enforcement had a legal basis under international law.
That does not mean every Israeli action is automatically lawful, nor does it mean there are no legitimate humanitarian concerns. Serious legal arguments have also been made that the blockade has become disproportionate or amounts to collective punishment due to the humanitarian consequences for civilians in Gaza.
But that is precisely the point: this is a disputed and highly contested area of international law. It is therefore misleading for Irish Government representatives to present the matter as though international law clearly and unanimously declares every interception at sea to be illegal. Many respected international lawyers, naval law experts, and even UN-linked inquiries have reached more nuanced conclusions.
People can oppose Israel politically or morally if they wish. But legal arguments should be based on the actual complexities of international law, not slogans or selective interpretations.
It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, on Wednesday 6th May 2026, of Mr Michael (Mikey) Maher, Salford, Manchester, United Kingdom, and formerly of Clonoulty, Gooldscross, Co. Tipperary.
Pre-deceased by his parents Jimmy and May, brother Paddy and sister Mary, brothers-in-law Alan, Jim and Paddy; Mr Maher passed away peacefully in Salford Royal Hospital, Stott Ln, Salford M6 8HD, United Kingdom.
His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving brothers Jimmy Tom and John, sisters Peggie and Nellie,, sisters-in-law Kitty, Tess and Ann, nephews, nieces, extended relatives, neighbours and many great friends, both in Manchester and Clonoulty.
Requiescat in Pace.
Funeral Arrangements.
The earthly remains of Mr Maher, will repose at Hayes’ Funeral Chapel, Clonoulty, Cashel on Sunday afternoon, May 24th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, before being received into the nearby Church of St John the Baptist, Clonoulty, same evening.
Requiem Mass will be offered for Mr Maher on Monday morning, May 25th, at 11:30am, followed by interment in Clonoulty Cemetery, Clonoulty, Cashel Co. Tipperary.
For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Maher, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.
The extended Maher family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, today Wednesday 20th May 2026, of Ms Mary Long, Mount Catherine, Drombane, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Pre-deceased by her loving father Ned; Ms Long passed away while in the care of staff at St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny City, Co. Kilkenny and Fennerhill Care Facility, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny.
Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving mother Theresa, sisters Breda Fogarty and Joanne, brother Eamon, sister-in-law Mairead, brother-in-law Jerry, nephew Robert, nieces Megan, Niamh, Grainne and Siobhan, uncle Con, cousins, neighbours, friends, carers in Anushia day services Thurles.
Requiescat in Pace.
Funeral Arrangements.
The earthly remains of Ms Long will repose at Kennedy’s Funeral Home, Castle Quarter, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, (Eircode E41 VX81), on Friday afternoon, May 22nd, from 5:30pm until 7:30pm same evening
Her remains will be received into the Church of St. Laurence O’Toole, Munroe, Bouladuff, Thurles, (Eircode E41 RC96), on Saturday morning, May 23rd, at 11:30am, to further repose for Requiem Mass, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in Drom Cemetery, Templemore, Co. Tipperary (Eircode E41 KP79).
For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Ms Long, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.
The extended Long family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
Note Please: Family flowers only. Donations if desired to Down Syndrome Ireland.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.
It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, on Monday 18th May 2026, of Mrs Rita Floyd, (née Small), Lacken, Birdhill, Tipperary and formerly of Knockanevin, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Pre-deceased by her loving husband John; Mrs Floyd passed away peacefully while in the care of staff at University Hospital Limerick, surrounded by her loving family.
Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; daughters Mary, Anne, Therese, Aisling, and Paula, son William, brothers Joe, Martin and Tom, grandchildren, great grandson, daughter-in-law, sons-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.
Requiescat in Pace.
Funeral Arrangements.
The earthly remains of Mrs Floyd, will repose at Meehan’s Funeral Home, Newport, Co. Tipperary, (Eircode V94 A9Y5), on tomorrow evening, Thursday, May 21st, from 6:00pm until 7:30pm.
Her remains will be received into the Church of Our Lady of the Wayside, Chapel Hill, Birdhill, Co. Tipperary, (Eircode V94 F6Y6), on Friday morning, May 22nd, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in the adjoining graveyard.
The extended Floyd and Small families wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.
It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, on Monday 18th May 2026, of Mr Andrew (Aindreas) Daly, (former member of An Garda Síochána), Blackrock, Co. Dublin and formerly of Borrisoleigh, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Mr Daly, sadly, passed unexpectedly, but peacefully at St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin with his loving wife Margaret by his bedside.
His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving and devoted wife Margaret, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.
Requiescat in Pace.
Funeral Arrangements.
The earthly remains of Mr Daly will repose at Massey Bros. Funeral Home, 5 Newtown Park Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, (Eircode A94 X308), on Sunday afternoon, May 24th, from 2:00pm until 4:00pm.
His remains will be received into the Church of the Assumption, 67 Booterstown Avenue, Dublin, (Eircode A94 NW53) on Monday morning, May 25th, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by cremation at Mount Jerome Crematorium, 158 Harold’s Cross Rd, Harold’s Cross, Dublin, (Eircode D6WHY98).
For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Daly, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.
Those persons who would wish to attend the Service of Cremation, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.
The extended Daly family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
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