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An Irish woman, Tori Towey, from County Roscommon, is currently facing serious criminal charges in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), including allegations of attempted suicide and alcohol abuse.
The issue was raised during a session in the Dáil (Irish lower house of parliament) when Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald brought it to Harris’s attention.
McDonald informed fellow TDs (MPs) that Towey’s passport had been confiscated as part of her legal proceedings in the UAE.
In response, Simon Harris expressed his willingness to intervene in the case, despite not being previously aware of it.
However, Harris pledged to work towards finding ways to assist Tori Towey amid her legal predicament in the UAE.
The BBC has sought comment from the UAE government regarding Towey’s situation, highlighting international interest in the case.
The incident underscores ongoing concerns about the treatment of expatriates and visitors in the UAE’s legal system, particularly regarding sensitive issues such as mental health and alcohol-related charges.
