Irish PM to intervene in case of woman detained in Dubai

An Irish woman is facing criminal charges – including attempted suicide and alcohol abuse – in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in what the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) has described as “the most appalling circumstances”.

Simon Harris said he was prepared to intervene in the matter in response to a question from Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald in the Dáil (the lower house of the Irish parliament) on Tuesday.

Ms McDonald told MPs that Tori Towey, from County Roscommon, had had her passport destroyed.

The BBC has contacted the UAE government for comment on the matter.

Mr Harris said he was not aware of the 28-year-old’s case but thanked Sinn Féin for raising it with him and the Foreign Secretary and said he would work to see how Ms Towey could be helped.

Ms Towey is believed to work as a flight attendant and resides in Dubai, the largest city in the United Arab Emirates.

Addressing the Dáil, Ms McDonald said she had spoken to Ms Towey on Tuesday.

She said Ms Towey’s mother had travelled to Dubai to be with her and she “wanted to come home”.

“She was the victim of the most blatant domestic violence,” McDonald said.

“Her passport was destroyed. She was subject to a travel ban.”

The Irish government should “make it clear to the authorities in Dubai that no woman should be treated in this way,” Ms McDonald told the Dáil, and that “an Irish citizen, an Irish woman, will not be treated in this way.”

The Foreign Ministry said it was aware of the matter and was providing consular assistance.

Ms Towey is receiving assistance from Radha Stirling, a lawyer and human rights activist who runs the group Detained in Dubai.

“Tori will appear in court next week. She has been charged with drink-driving and attempted suicide, both of which are historically illegal offences in the country,” Ms Stirling told BBC News NI.

She explained that Ms Towey was subject to a travel ban and could not leave the UAE.

“The Irish Government rightly supports us in calling on the UAE police to drop the charges against her,” Ms Stirling said.

She said Ms Towey could not afford a lawyer, “so it’s even more difficult and confusing for her”.

Even if she is found not guilty, the legal process could take “months and months,” she said, but the family is optimistic that international pressure could help.

“If the Irish government supports her cause and does everything they can diplomatically… it is very likely that she will be back in Ireland next week,” she added.

“With all the support (Tori and her mother) are over the moon and very, very optimistic that things will go well next week.”

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