Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade  Brendan Smith TD has called on the Government to redouble its efforts to secure the release of Ibrahim Halawa.

Commenting on the issue Deputy Smith said, “Ibrahim Halawa has been detained without trial in Egypt since his arrest in 2013. His trial has been postponed numerous times and I am calling on the Government and the Minister for Foreign Affairs to redouble their efforts to secure Ibrahim’s release.

“This is a deeply distressing situation for not only Ibrahim, but also his family. He is an Irish citizen and the Irish Government has a duty to ensure that every effort is made to secure his release.

“It is my hope that this long-running nightmare will come to an end soon for Ibrahim and his family. I have raised Ibrahim’s case several times in Dáil Éireann and will continue to do so. It is imperative that this case does not fall off the political agenda”.

13/05/2016