The trial of Ibrahim Halawa has been postponed again in Egypt.

19-year-old Ibrahim's was due to be heard in Cairo today - however it has now been put back to the sixth of June.

The teeneager from Firhouse has been in custody for one year and eight months after being arrested at a mosque in Cairo in August 2013 - at a time when protests were taking place in the city.

His family say he has been beaten and is in a very serious condition.

Ibriham was due to go on trial along with 450 others today - the sixth time he had been given a trial date.

His sister Somaia is urging the Government here to intervene:

In a statement issued this evening Minister Charlie Flanagan has said that it is extremely disappointing that the application for bail - supported by the Irish government - has been rejected.

"Our objectives in this case remain clear - to see this young Irish citizen released by the Egyptian authorities, and to provide consular support while he remains in detention," the Foreign Affairs Minister said.

“With the Taoiseach’s full support, I remain committed to taking all appropriate action in pursuit of our two objectives towards achieving a positive outcome for this young Irishman and his family," he added.

Colm O’Gorman, Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland said, "today marks Ibrahim's 616th day in an Egyptian prison on cut and paste charges despite the fact that there is no evidence connecting him to any crime.

“We again call for his immediate and unconditional release. He must be allowed to return home to his family in Ireland so that he can resume his life, and his studies."

During the week, supporters of the Halawa family handed in a petition to the Egyptian embassy in Dublin, calling for Ibrahim's immediate release from prison.

Minister Flanagan has said he may ask the Taoiseach Enda Kenny to directly intervene in the case.

Mr Flanagan said on Tuesday he will only get Mr Kenny involved if it is necessary and helpful to securing his release.

"I'm keeping the Taoiseach fully briefed and it may be at a certain stage that it would be beneficial to the citizen that the Taoiseach can become involved," Mr Flanagan said.

Originally posted at 8.40am