UAE police withdraw woman’s attempted suicide charge
Police in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have dropped all charges against Tori Towey, an Irish woman, and closed her case, confirming that the 28-year-old from Roscommon will not face prosecution. Towey, who worked as a flight attendant based in Dubai, had been accused of offenses including attempted suicide and consuming alcohol, and her passport had been confiscated.
The Dubai Public Prosecution informed the BBC of their decision to drop the case. Radha Stirling, a lawyer and human rights advocate associated with the Detained in Dubai group, expressed relief on behalf of Towey and her mother, stating they were “over the moon” with the news.
“We are grateful for the widespread support from the public, media, and the Irish government,” Stirling wrote on social media. Earlier, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris announced that a travel ban preventing Towey from leaving the UAE had been lifted, ensuring she could soon depart the country with embassy assistance.
“The embassy will of course continue to follow up on the case which is still active as of now… and to thank our embassy for the work in relation to that”.
Previously the taoiseach said it was “utterly, utterly unacceptable how an Irish citizen is being treated”.
Mr Harris also said he had spoken to Ms Towey and her mother, who is with her in the UAE.
He went on to say Ms Towey had “been the victim of male violence”.
“What Tori has been through is, I think, unimaginable for so many people here in this country, that a woman who has been the victim of a brutal attack found herself waking up not in a hospital, but in a police station,” he said.
On Wednesday, Ann Flynn, Ms Towey’s aunt, told BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today programme that Tori and her whole family had been through a huge ordeal but she hoped the end was now in sight.
“The travel ban being lifted is a huge relief, I didn’t actually quite believe it when I heard it,” Ms Flynn said.
“Hopefully they will be home tomorrow. They haven’t actually got a flight sorted yet and we are just waiting to hear next steps.”
Ms Flynn praised everyone who helped highlight her niece’s case.
“When they arrive in Ireland, it will be such a relief,” she said.
“We just want her home, we just want to start a new chapter with her.”