Escape after domestic violence Irish flight attendant in Dubai charged with attempted suicide

Irishwoman Tori Towey is not allowed to leave Dubai after being the victim of domestic violence. Now she is even facing a long prison sentence for drinking alcohol and attempting suicide.

An Irish woman has been charged with attempted suicide and alcohol consumption in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The passport of 28-year-old flight attendant Tory Towey has been confiscated, meaning she cannot fly to her home country. Towey is currently living in a rented house with her mother Caroline, who has traveled to visit her daughter.

She is now facing a lengthy prison sentence in Dubai, despite narrowly escaping death after being assaulted by her husband at home. Human rights activists report that she wanted to leave the Middle Eastern country after being treated in hospital for severe bruising and other injuries, but was prevented from doing so.

The Mirror quotes Mary Lou McDonald, leader of the Irish Sinn Fein party, as saying: "After a particularly serious beating, in which her husband repeatedly tried to break her arm, Tori fled upstairs and tried to take her own life. Tori is now facing charges of attempted suicide and alcohol abuse in Dubai."

Campaign group Detained in Dubai warned that Tori now faces a lengthy sentence in a prison notorious for "human rights abuses and torture".

Irish government acts quickly

Opposition leader McDonald raised the shocking case after speaking to Tori and informed the Irish parliament. Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris then promised to "step in and see how we can support an Irish citizen" in "appalling circumstances".

Arguably successfully, according to the BBC, as Radha Stirling, who runs the Detained in Dubai group, said she had spoken to Tory Towey and that "things seem to be moving".

"The Irish government has acted in record time. They don't normally come together this quickly," Stirling said. Haste is also required, as the case is due to be heard in court on July 18.