Irish woman charged with attempting suicide in Dubai after alleged attack
The Irish government is being urged to intervene in the case of Tori Towey, a 28-year-old woman from Boyle, County Roscommon, who has been charged with attempting suicide by a court in Dubai.
Tori Towey, an airline cabin crew member in the United Arab Emirates, attempted to take her own life after allegedly being attacked and left with severe bruising and other injuries. Though she survived, she was taken to a police station and charged with attempted suicide and abusing alcohol. Her passport has been blocked, preventing her return to Ireland.
"She's under incredible stress," said Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald in the Irish parliament. "Tori is a Roscommon woman, and she wants to come home." McDonald urged Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris to "urgently intervene" and ensure Towey's return to Ireland.
Prime Minister Harris stated he was not fully aware of the case but expressed willingness to collaborate with McDonald and others 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."
Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed to Sky News that it is "aware of the case and is providing consular assistance," though it declined to comment on specific details.
Towey is currently staying in a rented property in Dubai with her mother Caroline, who traveled to support her. The family is receiving assistance from the advocacy group Detained in Dubai.
"We are calling on Dubai authorities to urgently drop the charges against Tori, remove the travel ban, and let her fly home to Ireland with her mother," said Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai. Stirling noted that despite the UAE's public relations efforts to promote alcohol as legal, people are still regularly charged with alcohol consumption and possession.
"Tori's experience is nothing short of tragic and quite frankly, she is lucky to be alive," Stirling added.
Speaking from her home in County Roscommon, Towey's aunt Ann Flynn described the situation as very stressful for the entire family. "I think they're amazing, the way they've been able to hold it together, because I don't believe I could be as strong as they have been," she said, praising the determination of Towey and her mother to return home.
Flynn described her niece as "a beautiful young woman" who is "fun-loving and loved to travel." She recounted that Towey had landed her dream job with Emirates and enjoyed a good network of friends in Dubai.
"It's an awful situation for any young person to find themselves in. The only thing we want to do is get her home as soon as possible," Flynn said.
Towey is expecting her case to be heard in court on July 18 and has been warned she could face potential prison time in Dubai.
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