Mary Black, Chris O'Dowd, Siobhán McSweeney and more sign letter to Minister for Justice urging reunification of Gazan families "before it's too late"

Over 100 Irish public figures have signed a letter urging Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan to prioritise the evacuation and reunification of Palestinian families in Ireland.

Signatories spanned across professions and industries, with notable names including The IT Crowd actor Chris O'Dowd, Derry Girls actress Siobhán McSweeney, The Commitments actress Maria Doyle Kennedy, Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham, iconic folk singer Mary Black and best-selling author Marian Keyes.

The letter thanked O'Callaghan for his support of family reunification for medical evacuees from Gaza who arrived in Ireland earlier this year, citing an alleged email from O'Callaghan "to a concerned citizen" on July 21.

"We were heartened to know about this decision and commend you for doing what is right," the letter reads.

Though the email in question was not included, O'Callaghan confirmed that he supports efforts of family reunification in Gaza.

"My Department works closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure a coordinated national response to humanitarian crises and conflicts such as the situation in Gaza," said O'Callaghan in the Dáil on July 3.

"This includes work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families who may require visa assistance."

The letter went on to emphasise the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, reportedly intensified by Israel's use of starvation as a weapon. On Tuesday, the United Nations reported that the total number of malnutrition-related deaths has reached 227, including 103 children.

"As you know, with famine spreading in Gaza and daily news heralding the killing and death by starvation of hundreds of civilians including children, time is of the essence," the letter reads.

Signatories urged O'Callaghan to "take swift action" to facilitate evacuating the family members of medevaced children to Ireland. The letter asked O'Callaghan to issue a statement detailing "next steps and a clear timeline for action" on the matter.

"The families and their advocates eagerly await your response, hoping that the lives of their family members in Gaza can be saved via evacuation to Ireland, before it's too late," the letter concludes.

At the time of writing, O'Callaghan has yet to respond.

Read the full letter and list of signatories below:

Dear Minister O'Callaghan,

We, 100+ Irish artists and other public figures, are writing to thank you for your decision communicated in an email to a concerned citizen on 21 July to allow family reunification for the Gaza medical evacuees who were transferred to Ireland in December 2024 and May 2025.

We were heartened to know about this decision and commend you for doing what is right.

As you know, with famine spreading in Gaza and daily news heralding the killing and death by starvation of hundreds of civilians including children, time is of the essence.

We plead with you to make this an urgent priority and to take swift action to facilitate the evacuation of the parents, minor siblings, and adult dependent siblings of these sick children from Gaza to Ireland.

We respectfully and fervently request a statement on the next steps and a clear timeline for action. The families and their advocates eagerly await your response, hoping that the lives of their family members in Gaza can be saved via evacuation to Ireland, before it's too late.

Sincerely,

Chris O' Dowd, actor

Maria Doyle Kennedy, musician and actor

Liam Cunningham, actor

Mary Black, singer

Marian Keyes, author

Paul Galvin, fashion designer and former Kerry GAA star

Aoife Scott, musician and broadcaster

Mary Coughlan, singer

Niall Breslin, musician, academic and social entrepreneur

Liam O Maonlai, musician

Fiachna Ó Braonáin, musician/broadcaster/father

Mäia Dunphy, producer and broadcaster

Sinead Gleeson, writer

Maeve Higgins, writer and comedian

Lola Donoghue, artist

Tracy Bruen, musician and therapist

Lilly Higgins, chef and writer

Siobhan McSweeney, actor

Kathryn Thomas, broadcaster

Fiona Morgan, Department of Justice

David Keenan, musician and poet

Denise Gough, actor

Mairead Carroll, musician

Clare McKenna, presenter, speaker and health coach.

Kate O’ Dwyer, business owner

Yvonne Tiernan, musician, psychotherapist

Joe Caslin, artist and educator

Orla McAndrew, chef and writer

Sinead O Moore, podcaster and businesswoman

Barbara Scully, broadcaster, writer and comedian

Allison Spittle, comedian

Natasha Rocca Devine, interior architect

Dee Mulrooney, visual artist and performer

Helen Steele, fashion designer

Emer McLysaght, writer

Kevin Thornton, chef

Ruth Medjber, photographer,

Bronagh Waugh, actor

Aideen Barry, artist, member of Aosdana

Pat Keane, sustainability advocate

Pauline McGlynn, actor and comedian

George Murphy, musician

Hazel Coonagh, artist

Arveene, members of the band

Úna Burke, fashion designer

Diane O Connor, comedian, writer, mother

Sonya Lennon, speaker and business owner,

Nina Hynes, musician

Cathy O Connor, stylist

Laura de Barra, writer

Eric Lalor, comedian, actor, podcaster

Padraig Jack, musician

Laura Carr, therapist

Lisa Kendellen, wellness coach and advocate

Niamh McGrady, actor

John Spillane, singer/songwriter

Ultan Conlan, singer/songwriter

Bébhinn Eilish, visual artist

Conor Nolan, visual artist

Emmet Kirwin, actor and playwright

Amanda Bone, architect

Lorraine Keane, broadcaster

Myles o Reilly, musician

Phillip McMahon, playwright

Annie McManus, DJ, podcaster

The Pillowqueens, band members

Steo wall, singer/songwriter

Keira Dignam, musican

Sharon Hearne, health and wellbeing coach

Bernadette Kiely, artist

Oonagh Kearney, film/tv writer/ director

Rosita Sweetman, writer and feminist

Jimi Cullen, folk singer

Taryn de Vere, artist, performer and award winning curator

Des Mc Mahon, photographer

Alice Maher, artist

Dermot Seymour, artist

Catherine Ann Cullen, poet

Carole Nelson, musician

Dominic Mullan, musician

Garvan Gallagher, musician

Cormac O Brien, musician

Dee Armstrong, musician

Carmel Mc Creagh, singer

Fiachra Trench, composer

Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh, musician

Stano, musician

Áine Hayden, poet

Ben Hennessy, director/designer

Raymond Deane, composer

Elena Lopez, singer

Rachel Fallon, artist

John Nee, musician

Sandy Kelly, singer

Sam Mc Govern, actor

Pete Cummins, musician

Declan O'Rourke, musician