Irish president 'very worried' about sister detained by Israel Irish President Catherine Connolly said she was "very worried" about her sister, who was detained by Israeli forces on Monday while aboard a flotilla bound for Gaza. Margaret Connolly is one of at least six Irish citizens aboard a vessel carrying aid that was seized alongside 10 other boats off the coast of Cyprus.  “It’s quite upsetting, and I’m very worried about her, and I’m also very concerned about her colleagues on board," the president told reporters. She added that she was "proud" of her sister.