An Irish woman who had been banned from leaving Dubai after facing charges there is "anxiously awaiting" a flight back to Ireland, a human rights group has said.
Tori Towey (28), from Boyle, Co Roscommon, had been charged with "attempted suicide and alcohol consumption" in Dubai, a city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and had been banned from leaving the country.
The chief executive of advocacy group Detained in Dubai, Radha Stirling, confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that the charges against Ms Towey "have been officially withdrawn by Dubai police and the travel ban lifted".
Prior to the charges being dropped, Ms Stirling had spoken to Irish media, outlining the background of the case.
Ms Stirling explained Ms Towey had moved to Dubai last year to pursue an aviation career and married a South African man who "became physically abusive to her".
The charges against Tori Towey have been officially withdrawn by #Dubai police and the travel ban lifted. Tori and her mother are both over the moon and we are ever grateful for widespread support of the public, the media and the Irish government! We hope her transit at the… pic.twitter.com/QfzHpAfHMi
Advertisement— Radha Stirling (@RadhaStirling) July 10, 2024
She said Ms Towey was hospitalised with severe injuries following one incident, adding: "After that, there was another assault, and she broke free, ran up to the bathroom, and she woke up with paramedics and police over her, and she was taken to the police station and actually charged with attempted suicide and consuming alcohol."
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and Roscommon TD Claire Kerrane had raised Ms Towey's case with Taoiseach Simon Harris in the Dáil on Tuesday.
The Irish embassy in the UAE, the Government, and the Department of Foreign Affairs engaged with local authorities in Dubai, and Mr Harris confirmed in the Dáil on Wednesday that the travel ban on Ms Towey had been lifted.
He added that Ms Towey and her mother Caroline, who had travelled to Dubai to support her daughter, would be taken to the airport by the Irish embassy "as soon as she is ready to go".
In a statement on Thursday morning, Ms Stirling said: "Tori and her family are absolutely elated at the good news and couldn’t be more thankful.
"They’re in the final stages and are still nervous that anything could happen. They won’t feel safe until she’s on the plane."
Ms Stirling added: "We thank both the Irish government and government of Dubai for working diplomatically to promptly resolve the cases against Tori."
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Women’s Aid (24-hour freephone helpline at 1800-341 900, email helpline@womensaid.ie), Men’s Aid Ireland (confidential helpline at 01-554 3811, email hello@mensaid.ie), or the Samaritans (24-hour confidential freephone helpline at 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org) for support and information. Safe Ireland also offers a number of local services and helplines at safeireland.ie/get-help/where-to-find-help/.
