Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

The Halawa siblings' sister Nosaybe joins a protest at the Egyptian Embassy in Dublin calling for release of her siblings from custody earlier this week Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland
halawa

No update on status of Halawa siblings being held in Egypt

The four Irish citizens have been detained in a Cairo prison for nearly a week.

THE DEPARTMENT OF Foreign Affairs says that the situation involving the four Irish citizens being detained by authorities in Egypt remains unchanged since Wednesday.

Omaima (21), Fatima (23), Soumaya (27), and their 17-year-old brother Ibrahim Halawa have been held in Cairo’s Tora prison since being taken from the al-Fatah mosque last Saturday.

They had been visiting the country and were involved in a protest against the recent ousting of elected president Mohamed Morsi when they sought refuge in the mosque after violence broke out.

It is understood they continue to be detained but there have been no further developments despite in their case despite reports on Wednesday that they face a number of serious charges including attempted murder, possession of firearms and being members of a militant group.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said on Wednesday that he was concerned about the reports emanating from Egypt and said the government was watching the “situation very closely”.

A consular official from Ireland’s embassy in Cairo visited the four siblings in prison on Tuesday and reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that they were “in good spirits”.

More: Egypt’s ousted leader Hosni Mubarak released from prison

Tánaiste: We’ve no information on reports of Halawa siblings being charged

Read: ‘They are in good spirits’: Irish official visits Halawa siblings in Cairo jail

Your Voice
Readers Comments
115
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.