Warning: This article contains discussion of domestic violence and suicide which some readers may find distressing.
An Irish woman who was charged with ‘attempting suicide’ and banned from leaving Dubai has broken her silence after the ordeal.
The flight attendant was allegedly attacked in her home and was unable to leave the United Arab Emirates.
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Tori Towey reportedly attempted to take her own life after the attack but when she survived, she was taken to the police station.
The 28-year-old was then charged with attempted suicide and abusing alcohol, meaning her passport was blocked from use and she couldn’t travel out of the state.
Her case was raised in the Irish Parliament earlier this week, with the premier, Simon Harris, pledging to help ‘intervene’ and support the woman in ‘the most appalling circumstances’.
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While Towey was unable to leave, her mum flew out to be with her, staying in a rental while they received help from the Detained In Dubai advocacy group.
Harris announced yesterday (10 July) afternoon that the travel ban on the woman had been lifted.
He said he had spoken to her and her mum and that she ‘will soon be home’.
The premier explained: “I’ve just been informed that the travel ban has been lifted, that the embassy will take Tori to the airport as soon as she is ready to go, and that the embassy of course will continue to follow up on the case, which is still active as of now.”
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As Towey’s case hit headlines, she has said she was ‘totally overwhelmed’ by how many people had shown support for her.
Now able to fly back home to Ireland following the diplomatic intervention, she told the Irish Sun: “Thank you for the support. I really appreciate it.”
Towey’s aunt, Ann Flynn, previously spoke out on their behalf to say the flight attendant and her mum had been trying to stay positive in recent days.
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“They’re very nervous and can’t wait to get home,” she told RTÉ yesterday morning. “It’s really terrible that this has happened to a young woman that was full of life, full of adventure, she loved travelling.”
Ireland’s deputy premier and minister for foreign affairs Micheál Martin was pleased that Towey was ‘free to return’ and had hopes this would happen ‘as soon as possible’.
He said: “It’s been very, very challenging and traumatic for Tori over the last while but I think our team there has been in contact and has engaged with the family and indeed with the authorities as well, and it’s been a constructive engagement, and they have responded with the issue being resolved, facilitating Tory’s travel home.”
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. You can talk in confidence to the national domestic violence helpline Refuge on 0808 2000 247, available 24/7, or via live chat, available 3pm-10pm, Monday to Friday.
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If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.
Topics: Ireland, World News
Jess Battison