The Belfast man detained for questioning by the Israeli authorities is likely to be released today, senior Israeli government sources said last night.
Mr Seán Ó Muireagáin (40), who was stopped last week at an Israeli checkpoint near Ramallah, was travelling with eight other Palestinian solidarity campaigners. Travelling on a British passport, he had dispatched a series of articles for the Belfast Irish language newspaper, La.
Named in the Israeli media as Mr John Morgan, Mr Ó Muireagáin is a well-known campaigner for the rights of Irish-speakers and the Palestinian people. In what is seen as a case of mistaken identity, he was questioned about alleged republican activities.
The Israeli government spokesman in Jerusalem said: "Israel admits to holding a British citizen for questioning to verify his identify, based on information received." The spokesman would not specify where Mr Ó Muireagáin was being held.
While not naming Mr Ó Muireagáin, the spokesman said that he fitted a description given to the Israeli authorities in terms of age build.
Confirming that Mr Ó Muireagáin was likely to be released today, a senior Israeli source said that the Belfast man had "more or less convinced us that he is the person he says he is".
It was reported in Israel yesterday that the Israeli security services were blaming the British intelligence services for the error.
News of Mr Ó Muireagáin's likely release emerged after his supporters and family called on the Israeli authorities to free him.
Earlier, the SDLP called on the Government to urge the Israeli authorities to free him.
The former minister, Mr Seán Farren, said: "SeáÓ Muireagáin is a well known Irish language activist who has devoted a considerable amount of his time to promoting Irish language activities across the North. His activities on behalf of the language movement were very well known and respected, especially in school circles."
Senior republican sources had said earlier that Mr Ó Muireagáin had no connection with the movement.
The editor of La, Mr Ciaran Ó Pronntaigh, said: "We have had no official word but we are being told that the Israelis are saying they have been sold a pup ...
"It is good news coming out of Israel if they are admitting publicly they have someone in custody they should not have," he said.
