Tori Towey's Ordeal: An Irish Woman's Struggle Against the UAE's Legal System

On June 28th, 28-year-old Tori Towey, an Irish flight attendant based in Dubai, found herself in a harrowing situation. After allegedly being assaulted in her own home, she was charged by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) police with attempted suicide and consuming alcohol. 

The charges against Towey stemmed from a distressing incident where she was reportedly the victim of "the most gross domestic violence" over several hours. The attack left her with severe injuries that required hospitalization. Photos showed Towey with bruises on her arms and face.

Even after returning home, the violence continued, leading Towey to attempt suicide. Emergency services responded, and she was taken to a police station in Dubai where she was charged. To make matters worse, her passport was also destroyed, effectively trapping her in the UAE and preventing her from returning to Ireland.

Towey's ordeal quickly gained attention after Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald raised the issue in the Dáil, Ireland's lower house of parliament. McDonald described Towey as having "been the victim of the most gross violence" and said her passport had been destroyed and a travel ban imposed on her.

The Irish government immediately sprang into action. Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Simon Harris expressed outrage at how the Irish citizen was being treated, calling it "utterly, utterly unacceptable." Harris spoke directly with Towey and her mother, who had traveled to Dubai to be with her daughter.

In a major development on July 10th, Harris announced that the travel ban on Towey had been lifted and the Dubai Public Prosecution had confirmed that the case against her had been dropped. The embassy was prepared to take Towey to the airport as soon as she was ready to leave.

Radha Stirling, a lawyer and human rights advocate who runs the Detained in Dubai group, praised the swift action of the Irish government. "We are ever grateful for widespread support of the public, the media and the Irish government," she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Towey's aunt, Ann Flynn, expressed relief at the news, saying, "Hopefully they will be home tomorrow. They haven't actually got a flight sorted yet and we are just waiting to hear next steps." She added, "When they arrive in Ireland, it will be such a relief. We just want her home, we just want to start a new chapter with her."

The case highlights the challenges faced by foreign nationals in the UAE's legal system, particularly when it comes to issues of domestic violence and mental health. While the UAE has made efforts to modernize its laws, the criminalization of attempted suicide remains a controversial issue.

Towey's ordeal has sparked a broader conversation about the treatment of women and the need for greater protections and support for victims of abuse, both in the UAE and globally. As Towey prepares to return home, her case serves as a reminder of the importance of international cooperation and advocacy in ensuring the rights and safety of all citizens, regardless of their nationality.