Supporters of Ibrahim Halawa have handed in a petition to the Egyptian embassy in Dublin, calling for his immediate release from prison.

Mr Halawa (19) who is from Firhouse was arrested in August 2013 while taking shelter in a mosque from protests in Cairo.

His mass trial has been postponed several times and he is due in court again this Sunday.

At the last hearing, his lawyers handed in a bail request to the judge.

His sister Somaia says they are hoping this will be seen favourably.

The Foreign Affairs Charlie 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.

"I haven't ruled that out as a possibility, but the hearing dates, the return date and the date on which evidence is tendered, is entirely and solely and exclusively a matter for the courts," he added.