'I had another experience of Simon Harris', says mother of abducted sons

James Cox

An Irish mother whose children were abducted by their father in Egypt nearly three years ago has praised the Taoiseach for his engagement with her, saying "I had another experience of Simon Harris" after he was criticised for an interaction with a care worker in Cork.

Mandy Kelly from Dundalk in Co Louth was on holiday in Egypt in 2022 when her husband Ramy Gamal Maamoun Mohamed locked her in an apartment and took the children away in a car.

Three-year-old Kareem and his five-year-old brother Zayn Mohammed were both born in Ireland and have had no contact with their mother since June 2022, three months after they were kidnapped.

Both the High Court of Ireland and the family courts of Egypt have awarded Ms Kelly custody.

However, this "is no consolation given that my estranged husband has fled from house-to-house to avoid authorities in Egypt".

After Mr Harris' interaction with care worker Charlotte Fallon in Kanturk, Co Cork went viral, leading to heavy criticism, Ms Kelly contacted BreakingNews.ie to share her experience with the Taoiseach.

Speaking from Egypt, Ms Kelly said: "I have followed the news coverage of criticism of Taoiseach Simon Harris by a care worker.

"I can only imagine her pain given what she faces every day. I would not blame her for her disappointment.

"Still, I had another experience of Simon Harris.  Despite a demanding campaign schedule, Mr Harris took time out specifically to meet with me in private, away from the cameras and glare of the media, because he was very concerned about Kareem, Zayn and I.

"He pledged his support to me and I have every reason to believe him because he didn’t do it publicly for votes, but privately to reassure me of Government’s commitment to every Irish citizen – even my two, vulnerable boys.

"Simon Harris may have made a poor choice in Cork when dealing with that carer.  It was unacceptable.  He has said so, himself.  But I have had another experience of Mr Harris – one in which he took time with me privately, listened intently and pledged his support.

"I look forward to him continuing his efforts on behalf of my sons, including continuing to raise their fate with the highest levels of the Egyptian government as his government has already done."

Ms Kelly is returning to Ireland on election day, where she hopes to raise the issue of her sons' abduction again.