Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD has demanded urgent action to ensure the safe return of a Roscommon woman detained in Dubai.

Tori Towey has been detained in Dubai and barred from travelling. She is a victim of domestic violence and after suffering a violent assault, attempted to take her own life. She now faces charges of attempted suicide and abuse of alcohol.

Teachta McDonald raised the case in the Dáil today, after speaking with Ms Towey and her family along with Roscommon TD Claire Kerrane:

Teachta McDonald said:

“Following one particularly severe beating in which her husband repeatedly tried to break her arm, Tori escaped upstairs and she attempted to take her own life.

“Tori now faces charges in Dubai of attempted suicide and the abuse of alcohol. The system over there, rather than protecting this woman who is an Irish citizen, chose instead to detain her, to charge her. She’s now under the most incredible stress.

“I spoke to her this afternoon. Her mother Caroline has travelled to be with her. Tori wants to come home, simple as that. She’s a Roscommon woman. She wants to come home.

“And I’m asking now, as a matter of absolute urgency that we have a statement from this House, that you intervene, Taoiseach, that the Ambassador comes in and that you explain to the authorities of Dubai that no woman should be treated in this way. That an Irish citizen, an Irish woman will not be treated in this way.”

Speaking afterwards, Teachta Kerrane said:

“Tori Towey must be released and allowed to return home to Roscommon urgently. This young woman has been treated in the most horrific way and simply wants to go home. I am determined to work with the Ambassador, Foreign Affairs Minister and anyone necessary to ensure that her release is secured without delay.”