Irishwoman Tori Towey has arrived home safely after a ‘nightmare’ few weeks that saw her detained in Dubai.

The 28-year-old Roscommon woman was detained and barred from leaving the United Arab Emirates until the Government got involved and the charges were dropped.

On Wednesday, the Dáil heard that she had suffered violent domestic abuse in Dubai.

After approaching police in Dubai for help, she was told she was barred from leaving the country and was charged with attempted suicide and abuse of alcohol.

Yesterday those charges were dropped and authorities confirmed that she would be allowed to return home.

“I wouldn’t be here right now without the support of the Irish people”

Tori Towey says she is "just so thankful and so grateful" to be home after Dubai ‘nightmare’.

— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) July 11, 2024

Speaking in her arrival back at Dublin Airport this afternoon, Tori said: “I'm just so relieved; I just can't believe it.”

She offered a huge thanks to the Detained in Dubai charity, the Irish Embassy, politicians, the media and the Irish people.

“I wouldn’t be here right now without the support of the Irish people,” she said.

“This is just such an amazing country and I feel bad for people that don't have the support that we have.

“We're such a tight country and we have each other's backs and I just I can't believe how fast things got going – I am so emotional.

“I'm just so thankful and so grateful to be back.”

Tori Towey. Image: Insta

She said her final weeks in Dubai were extremely tiring mentally.

“Obviously, when my mother came out to me, it was a massive help but yeah, it was just the unknown – just not knowing anything and not knowing what's going to happen.

“But I'm back now and just I'm excited to get home and see my family.”

She issued a special thanks to her family and friends for their support.

“They've been going through everything with me and just keeping me strong,” she said.

Nightmare

Tori’s mother Caroline said the whole experience was a “nightmare” for the family.

“She felt like a hostage but once it kicked off and the media started to help, we started getting bombarded with lots of messages of support and we were tuning in to the Oireachtas and watching so just a huge thanks to the country, to our politicians, to our people, to our ambassador and all her staff and the amazing work they have done for us.

“We are so thankful.”

'Physical and psychological abuse'

The Detained in Dubai group has said Ms Towey suffered a "campaign of physical, psychological and financial abuse" at the hands of her South African husband, during her time in Dubai.

The group labelled the charges against her 'absurd' - but noted that "we've seen this kind of culture coming from the UAE before."

"It is truly astonishing that someone who's been beaten to the degree that she has - bruises all over her body - that now she's being abused by the system itself again," the group's CEO Radha Stirling told Newstalk Breakfast yesterday.

"I find it outrageous."

Tori Towey. Image: Detained in Dubai

After the case was raised in the Dáil by Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, the Tasoiech Simon Harris promised to intervene.

The next day, he confirmed that the travel ban had been dropped.

He told the house that it "should never have been in place".

"No Irish citizen should ever have to experience this and I certainly wasn't going to stand for a situation where an Irish citizen - who has been the victim of a gender-based, brutal attack - would find themselves in a situation where instead of being supported they're being subjected to criminal charges," he said.

Later that evening the Dubai Public Prosecution Service confirmed it had closed the case involving Ms Towey.

Her family has thanked the government and the people of Ireland for their support.

Reporting from Sheila Naughton.

Main image shows Tori Towey at Dublin Airport with her aunt Ann Flynn (L) and mother Caroline (R). Image: Sheila Naughton/Newstalk

Anyone affected by issues raised in this article can contact Women's Aid 24h National Freephone Helpline on 1800 341 900

If you need help or support with thoughts of suicide, self-harm, depression or anxiety, you can contact The Samaritans on 116 123, Pieta House on 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444.