An Irish flight attendant shared an emotional message after finally being freed from Dubai after being charged with “attempting suicide” following alleged domestic violence from her husband.
Tori Towey, a 28-year-old Irish national from County Roscommon, was charged with attempted suicide and alcohol abuse after her husband, a South African national, allegedly attacked her in her own home.
The young woman suffered severe bruising and other signs of violence, allegedly at the hands of her husband.
Following the alleged attack, authorities in Dubai confiscated her passport and banned her from leaving the country. The premier of Ireland, Simon Harris, was forced to get involved after Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald raised the issue in parliament on Tuesday. Following the international intervention, police in Dubai withdrew the charges and the travel ban was lifted.
Speaking to reporters at Dublin’s airport, Towey said “I’m just so relieved, I just can’t believe it. I’m just so thankful and grateful to be back.”
“Obviously when my mother came out to me it was a massive help, but it was just the unknown and just not knowing anything, not knowing what’s going to happen.”
She gave particular thanks to Rahda Stirling, a lawyer, human rights advocate, and founder of Detained in Dubai. Once the family spoke to Stirling things started to get moving she said.
Towey moved to Dubai in April 2023 to take up an exciting job with Emirates Airlines. But according to Detained in Dubai “the good life turned ugly when her new South African boyfriend who she met through work and quickly married, began a campaign of physical, psychological and financial abuse.”
Towey’s mother reportedly told Detained in Dubai, “He cut her off from her friends and family. If we tried to contact her, she got in trouble.” Her husband was allegedly constantly threatening Towey and her friends, and would go on rampages, destroying property including her phone and passport.
Her husband had worked for Emirates but was fired for behavioral issues.
The Government of Dubai’s media office said: ‘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 featuring mutual charges of assault, dating back to May 2024.’
If you are suffering from domestic violence: 1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, chat online or video call via our website. Call 000 in the case of an emergency.
Lead Image: Detained in Dubai
