A woman charged with criminal offences in Dubai as a victim of domestic violence said she felt “such a relief…grateful and happy” to be back in Ireland ‘Tori Tobey’.
Tori Toy, 28, was charged with attempted suicide and drink consumption among other offences and her passport was destroyed.
The flight from Dubai arrived in Dublin at 12:21 local time.
“I feel such a relief, I can’t believe it,” Toy told Irish broadcaster RTÉ.
Ms Toye has received further support from the Irish people, and the media has been fantastic.
And now she plans to see her family and friends.
But first, Ms Toye said she was “going home to rest” after an ordeal she described as “exhausting”.
“It’s good to be back”
Ms Toye, from County Roscommon, was working as a cabin crew member for an airline based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), at the time she was charged with attempting suicide and being drunk.
Her case prompted an intervention by Taoiseach Simon Harris earlier this week after it was raised in the Dáil.
UAE police dropped the charges against her on Wednesday and the travel ban was also lifted.
Ms Toye said she was “very happy and grateful to be back” and spoke of her fears that she would not be able to return to Ireland.
“Obviously my mum coming out to me was a big help but it was just the unknown and the fear of not knowing what was going to happen,” she said.
“It was only between yesterday and today that I had any clarity. I haven’t got any answers but I’m really happy to be back.”
Ms Toye spoke at the airport alongside her mother Caroline and aunt Ann Flynn.
Caroline said she was “glad to be home” and described the ordeal as “a nightmare, a real nightmare”.
Ms Toye’s mother said the plan now was to “go home, get her head together and get on with it”.
“You can’t treat Irish women like this”
Her case attracted attention in Ireland when it was raised in the Dail by Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald on Tuesday.
“She is a victim of domestic violence at its worst,” Ms McDonald said.
“Your passport has been destroyed.” She has been banned from travelling.”
Ms McDonald told the Dail that the Irish government “should make it absolutely clear to the Dubai authorities that no woman should be treated like this”.
The Taoiseach thanked Ms McDonald for bringing the case to his attention and said he was prepared to “intervene”.
Mr Harris said her treatment was “totally, totally unacceptable”
He went on to say Ms Toye was a “victim of male violence”.
“What Tori has gone through is unimaginable to many in this country – a woman who has been the victim of a brutal attack waking up in a police station rather than in a hospital,” Ms Harris added.
On Wednesday the Taoiseach informed the Dail that the travel ban preventing Ms Toi from leaving the UAE had been lifted and that Irish embassy staff would accompany her to the airport.
After arriving at Dublin airport on Thursday afternoon, Ms Toi thanked the Taoiseach, Ms McDonald, Tánaiste Micheál Martin and the Irish ambassador to the UAE.
She also thanked Radha Stirling, a human rights activist and lawyer who is being held in Dubai, for her support in the legal process.
What happened up to this point?
- 28 June – After allegedly being assaulted, Ms Towey is charged with attempting suicide
- 9 July – Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald raises her situation in the Dáil and says her passport has been destroyed and she has been banned from travelling
- Taoiseach Simon Harris says the Irish government will do what it can to help Ms Towey
- 10 July – Mr Harris says he has spoken to Ms Towey and that she is increasingly positive about the situation
- The taoiseach later confirms the travel ban has been lifted and she is preparing to travel to the airport and home to Ireland
- The Dubai Public Prosecution confirms the case against Ms Towey has been dropped
- 11 July – Ms Towey and her mother return to their home in the Republic of Ireland