Irish Emirates Crew Member Allowed to Leave UAE After Detainment Over Suicide Attempt

Following a distressing experience in the United Arab Emirates, an Irish woman's journey home has been marked by a series of harrowing events.

Tori Towey, a 28-year-old crew member with Emirates Airlines from County Roscommon, Ireland, found herself briefly detained in the United Arab Emirates after being charged with attempting suicide and alcohol consumption. Her passport was confiscated and destroyed during this period.

Legal Intervention

The "Detained in Dubai" (DiD) legal group reported that Towey, who had been a victim of "brutal domestic violence leading to an attempt to take her own life" in Dubai, faced these charges rather than receiving assistance to return home to Ireland with her mother.

Mary Lou McDonald, the leader of Ireland's Sinn Féin political party, advocated for Towey's release and safe return to Ireland. She emphasized the need for intervention to ensure that no woman, especially an Irish citizen, should be mistreated in this manner.

Following McDonald's efforts, the travel ban against Towey was lifted, and the case against her was dropped. The Irishwoman is now slated to return home to Ireland accompanied by her mother.

Confirmation of Release

Ireland's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, confirmed Towey's permission to return to Ireland in a tweet on Wednesday.

According to DiD, Towey faced physical and emotional abuse from her South African husband, with whom she crossed paths while working in the Emirates. Detained in Dubai reported that the man was dismissed by UAE authorities due to "behavioral issues" after being questioned.