Taoiseach pledges action over Irish woman reportedly banned from leaving Dubai

Rebecca Black, PA

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said he will work to intervene in the case of an Irish woman in difficulty in Dubai.

It has been reported that Tori Towey (28), who works for an airline, was attacked in her home and has been banned from leaving the state.

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald raised Ms Towey’s case in the Dáil on Tuesday afternoon.

Ms McDonald said Ms Towey has been the victim of domestic violence and is subject to a travel ban over alleged charges.

She said she has spoken to Ms Towey, adding that the 28-year-old’s mother has travelled to Dubai to be with her.

“Tori wants to come home, simple as that. She is a Roscommon woman, and she wants to come home,” Ms McDonald said.

“I am asking now, as a matter of absolute urgency, that we have a statement from this House, that you intervene Taoiseach, that the ambassador is called and that it is made absolutely plain to the authorities of Dubai that no woman should be treated in this way, and an Irish citizen, an Irish woman will not be treated in this way.”

Mr Harris responded saying he was not aware of Ms Towey’s case, and thanked Ms McDonald for bringing it to his attention and that of Minister of Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin.

He pledged to work “to intervene and see how we can support an Irish citizen in what sounds to be, based on what you tell me, the most appalling circumstances”.