It has been three years since Emily Hand, then just eight years old, was abducted by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that resulted in over 1,000 deaths. Her father, Thomas Hand, a Dublin-born volunteer living in Israel, has spoken about the enduring impact of the incident on their lives and the limited public response from his native Ireland.

Initially believing his daughter had been killed in the assault, Hand was later informed that Emily had been kidnapped while attending a sleepover at a friend’s home in Kibbutz Be’er. She was held captive for 50 days before being released as part of a truce agreement. Now 11, Emily is undergoing a slow recovery from the trauma, with her father describing occasional flashbacks and heightened sensitivity to loud noises such as passing jets.

“There are still moments when I see fear in her reactions,” Hand said, noting that Emily has recently shown progress by coming home from friends’ houses alone and sleeping by herself at night. He added that this has also allowed him to rest without worry.

The family has not returned to their home in Kibbutz Be’er out of caution, with Hand describing their current situation as living “like refugees.” He explained that many families with young children have chosen not to move back due to security concerns, although some residents without children have remained. The hands hope to return to their community next year if conditions improve.

Hand expressed disappointment with the response from Ireland following the attacks. Despite the scale of loss—including the death of his ex-wife and the kidnapping of many acquaintances—he said the initial shock in Ireland faded quickly and was soon overshadowed by protests and political opposition. He criticized the silence from former friends and Irish politicians, saying he has received little to no outreach or support since the incident.

The former volunteer also commented on the controversy surrounding Ireland’s UEFA Nations League matches against Israel earlier this year, which faced calls for cancellation amid a Stop the Game campaign. After protests led to one home fixture being relocated to Serbia and changes to team dynamics—including players wearing black armbands and lowering their heads during the Israeli national anthem—Hand called for a separation between politics and sport. “It’s a sport. Be sporting. That wasn’t sporting,” he said.

Despite the passing of time, Hand said the memories of those kidnapped and later released continue to weigh heavily on him. He also revealed concerns about personal safety when travelling abroad, given his and Emily’s status as victims of the attack. “If somebody knew who I was, I would definitely feel unsafe,” he said. “We could be attacked.”

The events of October 7 remain a profound scar on the family’s lives, shaping their daily reality amid ongoing uncertainty.