An Irish woman is facing criminal charges – including attempted suicide and the abuse of alcohol – in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in what the taoiseach (Irish prime minister) has called “the most appalling circumstances”
Simon Harris said he was ready to intervene in the case in response to a question from Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald in the Dáil (Irish lower house of parliament) on Tuesday.
Ms McDonald told TDs (MPs) that Tori Towey from County Roscommon had had her passport destroyed.
The BBC has approached the UAE government for comment on the case.
Mr Harris thanked Sinn Féin for raising it with him and the minister for foreign affairs and said he would work to see how Ms Towey could be helped.
‘Most gross domestic violence’
It is understood 28-year-old Ms Towey has been working as an air hostess and is based in Dubai – the largest city in the UAE.
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 that she “wants to come home”.
“She has been the victim of the most gross domestic violence,” Ms McDonald said.
“Her passport has been destroyed. There was a travel ban imposed on her.”
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The Irish government should make it “absolutely plain to the authorities of 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 Department of Foreign Affairs said it was aware of the case and was providing consular assistance.
‘Government is rightly behind us’
Ms Towey is receiving assistance from human rights advocate and lawyer Radha Stirling, who runs the Detained in Dubai group.
“Tori is facing court next week. She has been charged with consumption of alcohol and also attempting suicide, both of which have been historically illegal in the country,” Ms Stirling told BBC News NI.
She explained Ms Towey was subject to a travel ban and could not leave the UAE.
“The Irish government is rightly behind us in having the UAE police drop the case against her,” Ms Stirling said.
She said Ms Towey was unable to afford a lawyer, “so it’s even more difficult and confusing for her”.
Even if found not guilty, the legal process could take “months and months”, she explained, but the family were feeling optimistic that international pressure would help.
“If the Irish government backs her case and does everything that they can diplomatically… it’s highly likely that she will be home in Ireland next week,” she added.
“With all of the support [Tori and her mother] are just over the moon and very, very positive that things will go well next week.”