A mother whose daughter was kept in Saudi Arabia for over a decade has said she can finally give her a proper birthday party.
Victoria O'Leary's daughter Fatima went with her father to the Gulf state for a holiday back in 2007 when she was just two-years-old.
Victoria has long battled to bring her daughter, who is now 19, home to Cork.
Fatima eventually arrived back in Ireland on Monday July 1st.
Victoria O'Leary told Lunchtime Live she was meant to follow her then-husband and daughter on the 2007 trip.
"When Fatima was two-years-old myself and her father decided we'd go back to Saudi Arabia for two weeks' holidays," she said.
"He took her first and I was to follow over; but when he went over first everything just changed from that.
"Over the last couple of years I've been travelling in and out of Saudi to try and get her back".
'Video calls'
Victoria said she kept in contact with her daughter through Snapchat.
"I was able to use video calls and send her messages and she realised that I'm still around," she said.
"I went back over in 2019... I didn't get to see her much because [it was] just before COVID kicked in.
"We just kept more in contact, messaging every single day, I was able to ring her and she could speak to Nana and Grandad.
"In August 2023 Fatima managed to find a lawyer and he took up the case".
'Couldn't hug her'
Victoria said the case went to court and her daughter moved into an apartment-hotel.
"Her father then wanted to mend the situation, which was fine like, because everyone obviously wants to get a second chance," she said.
"So she met with him, spoke to him and told him she wants to go home to her mum."
Victoria O'Leary said it was a difficult situation.
"It's quite hard alright... if she was sad or upset you couldn't hug her or give her a kiss," she said.
"If she was sick you don't have the opportunity to be able to bring her to the doctor yourself.
"Especially with mum care [which] is different to a father's care - it's totally different".
'Sending her money'
Victoria said she was able to send her daughter money through Revolut.
"I was able to give her [money] - you know the virtual Revolut cards - I had it for her and I got her to add it to her iPhone over there," she said.
"I was able to add money on to this Revolut card and she was able to go off and buy what she wanted.
"She was in that hotel-apartment I was able to send her money for food and shopping and everything".
Victoria O'Leary said they can finally celebrate the birthdays they missed together.
"For her 18th birthday I got her to pick a cake that she wanted," she said.
"I got my friend to make a beautiful nice, proper birthday cake but she wanted on top of the cake a teddy bear.
"The teddy bear on top of the birthday cake was a teddy bear I actually bought her many years ago.
"I still have that teddy bear in my freezer for her".
'A proper birthday party'
Victoria said she was determined to mark her daughter's 18th birthday.
"Got the cake, went down to my parents house, wished her a happy birthday, took a video of it and sent it over to her," she said.
"At least going forward we'll be able to give her a proper birthday party".
Victoria said Fatima will be sharing a bedroom with her sister Zara "for the first time ever".
"I have to try and find someone to try and get fitted wardrobes because I only have one wardrobe in the bedroom," she said.
"That's not enough for all the clothes, the shoes and bags - even the windowsill now is half full".
Victoria said Fatima is still in touch with her father.
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