An emotional but 'relieved' Tori Towey has arrived home
Ann Flynn, Tori Towey, after arriving to Dublin Airport this afternoon from Dubai. and her mum Caroline , speaking to reporters in Terminal 2, Dublin Airport. Pic. Sam Boal Collins Photos
An emotional but “relieved” Tori Towey arrived back into Dublin Airport from Dubai this afternoon.
The Emirates airline cabin crew worker, with the support of her mother Caroline and aunt Ann Flynn, spoke to the media in an impromptu interview in Terminal 2.
The County Roscommon woman was banned from leaving Dubai after being charged with attempted suicide and illegally consuming alcohol in the United Arab Emirates city. She had suffered sustained domestic violence and abuse since marrying her husband in March, the Dáil heard this week.
Local Sinn Féin Deputy Claire Kerrane had raised her plight and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald raised the matter in the Dáil on Tuesday which resulted in Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin intervening.
“I’m just so relieved ... I can’t believe it. I just want to say a huge, thank you to everyone, the Embassy, the Ambassador, the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, Claire Kerrane TD, Mary Lou McDonald, obviously the media,” The Irish Times reports.
She said she “wouldn’t be here without you all and the support of the Irish people, we are an amazing country”.
The 28-year-old added that she “could not believe” she was back in Ireland. “The Ambassador was the first person we got on to. I’m just so thankful and grateful.” Ms Towey revealed that the last number of weeks have been “tiring mentally” for her “being stuck in the country”.
“Obviously when my mother came out to me that was a massive help. Not knowing anything, not knowing what was going to happen. I’m back now and excited to see my family," The Irish Times reports.
She said she feared she would not get home.
“I didn’t know what was going to happen. It was only between yesterday and today that I got clarity [on what was happening] because I wasn’t getting any answers. I’m just glad to be back and I’m obviously so thankful as well to my amazing family and friends. They have been going through everything with me. They’ve been keeping me strong," The Irish Times reports.
She added that her plans for the immediate future were to go home and see her family, “sleep and go home and rest. The people, the Government, everybody have been amazing. I’m just so happy to be home.”
Her mother Caroline said the whole matter has been a “bit of a nightmare” but that she was “delighted to have her home. We couldn’t sleep but once the whole thing [matter was highlighted] and the media and Oireachtas helped we were bombarded with lots of messages and support.
“A huge thanks to the country, our politicians, our people, our Ambassador and all of her staff. We are so thankful. We want to get home, get our heads together and move on.”
