Irish woman faces charges of ‘attempting suicide’ in Dubai court

Public figures are calling for the release of Tori Towey, a 28-year-old Irish woman who claims her suicide attempt was in response to an alleged domestic violence attack. Towey, who works as an airline cabin crew member in the United Arab Emirates, has been charged by a Dubai court with “attempting suicide” and alcohol abuse.

Towey, originally from Boyle in County Roscommon, suffered severe bruising and injuries in the violent incident. Following the incident, she was taken to a police station and informed of the charges against her.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has been advocating for Towey, revealing in the Irish parliament that Towey’s passport has been blocked, preventing her return to Ireland. Simon Harris, the Taoiseach, expressed his readiness to intervene in the case, acknowledging that while he was previously unaware, the matter had been raised with the minister for foreign affairs by Sinn Féin. He assured the parliament, “I’m very happy to be directly apprised of it now,” as reported by RTÉ.

Harris committed to collaborating with McDonald to “intervene and see how we can support an Irish citizen in what sounds to be – based on what you tell me – the most appalling circumstances.”

Ireland’s department of foreign affairs has confirmed to Sky News that they are aware of the case and are providing consular assistance, although they have refrained from commenting on the specifics.

McDonald emphasized Towey’s distress, stating, “She’s under incredible stress. Tori is a Roscommon woman, and she wants to come home.” Towey, who relocated to Dubai in April 2023, is currently living with her mother, Caroline, who traveled to support her daughter.

The court hearing for Towey’s case is scheduled for July 18. Radha Stirling, CEO of the Detained in Dubai advocacy group, which is supporting the family, has called on UAE authorities to drop the charges, lift the travel ban, and allow Towey to return home with her mother. Stirling highlighted the paradox in UAE’s public relations efforts to promote alcohol as legal, noting that people are still frequently charged with alcohol-related offenses.

Stirling described Towey’s situation as tragic and noted, “She is lucky to be alive.” On social media platform X, Stirling mentioned that Michael Fitzmaurice, Teachta Dála of Ireland, has made representations to the UAE’s ambassador to Ireland and the department of foreign affairs regarding Towey’s case.