County Roscommon awaits anticipated return of Tori Towey

County Roscommon is awaiting the anticipated return of 28-year-old Emirates Airlines flight attendant Tori Towey, who was charged with attempted suicide and alcohol consumption in Dubai after alleged domestic abuse.

All charges against Tori, from the Boyle/Ballaghaderreen area, have now been dropped and a travel ban on her lifted after political intervention.

“Tori and her mum Caroline contacted us just a few days ago to ask for help,” said Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, a 16-year-old organisation that has helped more than 20,000 people. 

“Although Caroline had previously reached out to the Irish Embassy in Dubai, she was told there wasn’t much they could do and things were becoming desperate. Tori was facing a judge next week who could have stripped her of her freedom on the spot,” said Radha.

 “When Carrie told me the story, it was extremely disturbing and reminded me of cases where attempted suicide survivors were actually jailed for more than a year and where rape victims jailed for sex outside marriage. 

“Abusers often make wrongful police complaints against their spouses to protect themselves from their victim’s complaints. The police tend to believe the person who gets to the police station first and will lean towards believing men. It’s a cultural issue that won’t be resolved any time soon.

“We distributed the press release and got in touch with Tori’s local representatives. Claire Kerrane TD promptly responded and together with opposition leader, Mary Lou McDonald TD immediately raised Tori’s case on the Dáil  floor with Taoiseach  Simon Harris, TD.

“We also contacted Michael Fitzmaurice, TD, requesting he approach the UAE’s Ambassador to Ireland and Foreign Minister, Michael Martin. The pressure was coming from all angles.

“The Irish people, the government and the Irish people collectively supported Tori Towey. Dubai promptly dropped the unfair charges against her and lifted the travel ban.

“Tori and her family are absolutely elated at the good news and couldn’t be more thankful. They’re in the final stages of preparing to go home and are still nervous that anything could happen. They won’t feel safe until she’s on the plane.

“We thank both the Irish government and government of Dubai for working diplomatically to promptly resolve the cases against Tori,” said Radha.