Irish PM says travel ban on woman charged with 'attempted suicide' in Dubai has been lifted

Irish woman Tori Towey has been charged in Dubai. Credit: Detained in Dubai

Warning: Some people may find some of the images contained within this article distressing

Irish premier Simon Harris has said the travel ban imposed by Dubai authorities on Irish woman Tori Towey, who had been charged with attempted suicide, has been lifted.

Ms Towey, from Boyle in County Roscommon, works in the United Arab Emirates as an airline cabin crew member and was left with severe bruising and other injuries after an alleged attack.

Following the incident, the 28-year-old was taken to a police station where she charged with attempted suicide and abusing alcohol.

Both of which carry a lengthy prison sentence in the UAE.

Her passport had been blocked and she was unable to return to Ireland.

Tori Towey has shared images of her injuries. Credit: Detained in Dubai

Addressing the Irish parliament on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Harris said: “I’ve just been informed that the travel ban has been lifted, that the embassy will take Tori to the airport as soon as she is ready to go and that the embassy of course will continue to follow up on the case, which is still active as of now.”

He thanked the Irish embassy in the United Arab Emirates for their work on the case.

Earlier, Harris had told the Dail he was prepared to "intervene" in Ms Towey's case and "support an Irish citizen" under "the most appalling circumstances".

Harris said he wasn't initially aware of the case, but after being told by Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald that Ms Towey was "under incredible stress", he would work to see how she could be helped.

Tori's mother Caroline has travelled to Dubai to stay with Ms Towey and the campaign group Detained in Dubai has been assisting the family with their efforts to get her home.

The case against Ms Towey will be heard in court on July 18.

Human rights advocate and lawyer Radha Stirling, who runs Detained in Dubai, said: "Tori’s experience is nothing short of tragic and quite frankly, she is lucky to be alive.

"Strangely, the UAE has gone to great public relations efforts to promote alcohol as legal in the country. In reality, people are still regularly charged with alcohol consumption and possession."

ITV News has contacted the Dubai Media Office and Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Dublin for comment.

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