Tori Towey’s aunt has welcomed the announcement that she is free to leave Dubai as "the best news ever".
The 28-year-old Roscommon woman was previously detained and told she was barred from leaving the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Yesterday, the Dáil heard she is a victim of domestic violence and has been charged with attempting to take her own life.
After approaching police in Dubai for help, she was told she was barred from leaving the country and is facing charges of attempted suicide and abuse of alcohol.
Speaking in the Dáil earlier today Taoiseach Simon Harris said the travel ban has now been lifted and embassy staff would bring her to the airport "as soon as she is ready to go".
Mr Harris said the ban "should never have been in place".
"No Irish citizen should ever have to experience this and I certainly wasn't going to stand for a situation where an Irish citizen - who has been the victim of a gender-based, brutal attack - would find themselves in a situation where instead of being supported they're being subjected to criminal charges".
Ms Towey's aunt Ann Flynn told Lunchtime Live it is an "amazing" development.
"It's amazing, you can't believe the relief,” she said.
"I didn't believe it when I first heard it... but it's amazing.
"The best news ever".
Ms Flynn also thanked politicians across the spectrum for their help.
"I was just going to ring my sister to make sure she knows and [see] when will she be coming home," she said.
"It's brilliant news and [I want] to thank all the TDs and Ministers.
"The Taoiseach, Mary Lou [McDonald] and Claire [Kerrane] - they're all amazing, we can't say enough about them.
"The Irish Government is amazing".
Ms Flynn said the case has moved quite fast.
"We only went public yesterday morning and to think all this has happened, [we're] sorry we didn't do it weeks ago," she said.
"We'll have a big party when they come home when Tori is ready".
Ms Flynn said the family knew things "were not good" for Tori in the last three weeks to a month.
"Her mother went out a week last Saturday, [and] took her out of the situation," she said.
"They're in an Airbnb since."
Ms Flynn said the last few days have been "like a nightmare but you don't wake up from it".
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9 июл 2024
