O’Brien expresses disappointment at further delay in Halawa case

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade , Darragh O'Brien TD has expressed his disappointment that Ibrahim Halawa’s case has been postponed for the fourteenth time.

The next trial date has been set for October 2nd.

Commenting on the issue Deputy O’Brien said, “I am very disappointed and gravely concerned that Ibrahim Halawa’s trial has been postponed for the fourteenth time.  This situation is becoming increasingly absurd and cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely.

“I recently met with Ibrahim’s sister Somaia to discuss her brother’s case and she expressed her hope and belief that today would bring some conclusion to this long-running saga. I am sure that the Halawa family must be bitterly disappointed and disheartened by this further delay.

“Ibrahim is an Irish citizen and has been detained without trial for almost three years. I am calling on the Government to explore every option available to them to secure Ibrahim’s release. It is simply unacceptable that there appears no end in sight to this case, and at this point we can no longer trust that the next trial date, set for the 2nd October, will actually come to pass.

“My colleague Senator Mark Daly, Seanad Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade & the Diaspora, has raised this issue in the Seanad this morning and has called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to appear before the Seanad next week to explain the further delay in this case. I hope that the Minister will make himself available in this regard.

“It is imperative that Ibrahim’s case is kept to the fore and that our opposition to this now indefensible situation is communicated to the Egyptian authorities in the clearest possible terms.”
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