An Irish flight attendant who was arrested in Dubai for “attempting suicide” after being “beaten by her husband” has landed in Ireland after charges against her were dropped.
Tori Towey, 28, said she was “so relieved” to be home as she arrived at Dublin Airport today with her mother Caroline. “I’m so grateful to be back.”
She expressed her gratitude to those who helped her return home, including the Irish embassy and the media. “Without you, I wouldn’t be here now,” she told reporters.
She went on to say that her native Ireland is “an amazing country” and added: “I feel bad for people who don’t have the support that we have. We are a very united country and we support each other.”
“I’m very excited,” she said.
Tori Towey, 28, said she was “so relieved” to be home as she flew into Dublin Airport today after being arrested in Dubai on charges of attempting suicide and drinking alcohol.
The young flight attendant told reporters at the airport that the past few weeks have been “mentally tiring.”
Tori Towney, 28, was charged with attempted suicide and banned from travelling by Dubai authorities. She has now arrived in Dublin after the charges were dropped.
The young flight attendant told reporters at the airport that the past few weeks have been “mentally tiring”, as she recalled being stuck in Dubai and explained that she did not know “what was going to happen”.
“I’m back now and I’m excited to be home and see my family,” she added.
This comes after Ms Towey, the flight attendant from County Roscommon, woke up in a police station in Dubai after being attacked by her South African husband.
UAE police have charged the young woman with alcohol abuse and attempted suicide, charges against which she was due to appear in court later this month.
She was banned from holding a passport, preventing her from returning to her family home in Ireland and raising fears she could face a jail sentence in the Emirates.
Tori Towey was photographed with extensive bruising all over her body, which she says is the result of an assault.
Tori Towey, pictured left with her aunt, was banned from leaving the UAE and told she could go to prison for drinking alcohol and attempting suicide.
Ms Towey moved to the UAE in April 2023 when she started working as a flight attendant with Emirates Airlines. She married a South African man and they had been living together until their relationship allegedly became abusive.
But a campaign group working on her case has confirmed the charges have been dropped, the travel ban lifted and Ms Towey is “relieved” to be returning home.
In a statement, the Dubai Government Media Office said: ‘The Dubai Public Prosecution has closed the case involving Irish national Tori Towey after she and her husband, a South African national, were involved in a case involving mutual assault charges, dating back to May 2024.
‘The couple reached a reconciliation and withdrew the complaints filed against each other.
‘The Dubai Public Prosecution also dropped the attempted suicide charges against her considering the circumstances of the case and to allow her to return to her normal life.’
Speaking about the lifting of her travel ban, Detained in Dubai chief executive Radha Stirling said: “She is excited and relieved. She said she is happy and looking forward to returning home to Ireland and seeing the rest of her family.
“She is also a little nervous because she is afraid that something might happen before she gets on the plane, but the predominant feeling is one of joy.”
Ms Towey’s family thanked the Irish government and campaigners for their help, with her mother Caroline telling MailOnline the support “has been incredible”.
Caroline said: ‘The support from the Irish government and the Irish people has been incredible and we didn’t expect it at all. It’s a small country and the politicians are real people.
We are exhausted and desperate to get home. Many thanks to everyone who supports us.
She added that her daughter had been through “the worst time of her life and needs to come home with me and heal.”
Tori’s aunt Ann Flynn also told Sky News: “She’s doing the best she can. It’s very stressful, stressful for the whole family.”
“Tori is a beautiful, fun-loving, travel-loving young woman. She landed her dream job working for Emirates and was able to continue traveling while working.”
“It is truly terrible that this has happened to a young woman who was full of life and adventure.”
The 28-year-old had moved to the United Arab Emirates in April 2023 when she was offered a job as a flight attendant. She married a South African man and they had been living together until their relationship allegedly turned abusive.
More to follow.
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