Department staff also dealt with missing persons, serious injuries, arrests, mental health issues and victims of crime. Photograph: Sam Boal/CollinsLast year saw the highest number of deaths of Irish citizens overseas reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). More than 20 per cent of consular cases it handled involved a death of an Irish citizen overseas, figures for 2025 show. Helen McEntee said staff continued to advocate for Irish citizens and dependents who have not yet been able to leave Gaza. She said the DFA “continues to provide assistance to Irish citizens and dependents caught in crises overseas.

Source: The Irish Times January 02, 2026 14:08 UTC