An emotional Tori Towey touched down at Dublin Airport yesterday, and thanked the Irish public for supporting her campaign to return home from Dubai.The flight attendant, from Boyle, Co Roscommon, was facing charges of “attempted suicide and alcohol abuse” in Dubai after an alleged attack in her home.She was told on Wednesday that a travel ban preventing her from returning to Ireland had been lifted.Ms Towey (28) said she was stunned by the support she had received from Irish people and the reaction to her case.Tori Towey arriving into Dublin Airport this afternoon (Photo: Sam Boal, Collins Photos)She travelled home with her mother Caroline, who had flown out to Dubai to support her daughter. Her aunt, Ann Flynn, greeted them at the airport.“I’m just so relieved. I can’t believe it. I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone – the embassy, the ambassador, the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, Mary Lou (McDonald), Claire Kerrane (Sinn Féin), and the media,” said Ms Towey.“Without you guys I wouldn’t be here right now. Without the support of the Irish people…this is such an amazing country. I feel bad for the people that don’t have the support that we have. “We have each other’s backs. I can’t believe how fast things got going. I’m so emotional.“I didn’t know what was going to happen. It’s only between yesterday and today that I kind of got clarity, because I wasn’t getting any answers. But I’m just glad to be back. I’m obviously so thankful as well to my amazing family and friends. They’ve been going through everything with me and keeping me strong.”Remembering the times she was alone and needing her family, unsure of her future and trying to forget some of her past, she said the arrival of her mother when she needed help was “a massive help”.Caroline stood on Tori’s left side, taking the praise quietly and probably knowing that she did exactly want any mother would want to be able to do when their child needs them on the other side of the world.As her aunt stood beside her, holding gold and pink balloons with ‘Welcome Home Tori’ written on them, Ms Towey was asked how difficult the last few weeks have been. “It’s just been so tiring mentally, and being stuck in the country,” she said.“Obviously when my mother came out to me, it was a massive help. But it was just the unknown, just not knowing anything, not knowing what was going to happen. But I’m back now and I’m excited to get home with my family.”Ms Towey’s mother spoke of her relief at how the wheels began to move when the family got in touch with campaigner Radha Stirling, from the group Detained in Dubai.Authorities in Dubai confirmed charges against Tori Towey had been dropped and she was free to return home“From the start it was a bit of a nightmare but then the campaign kicked-off and the media started to help and we started to get bombarded with lots of messages of support. We were tuning into the Oireachtas and watching everything,” she said.“So, it’s just a huge thanks to the country, our politicians, to our people, to our ambassador and all her staff and the amazing work that they have done for us. We’re so thankful. It’s a nightmare but it’s over now.” Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald had told the Dáil earlier this week that Ms Towey had been the victim of domestic violence and was now facing criminal charges. In response, Taoiseach Simon Harris said he was ready to intervene in the case.Tori Towey arriving into Dublin Airport this afternoon from Dubai (Photo: Sam Boal, Collins Photos)“Everything changed after that,” Ms Flynn said. “We did not expect this result so quickly, but we are delighted. Once we see how Tori is and give everyone a couple of days to rest, we will have a family get-together to welcome her home. Her life can start again then.”Ms Towey, who moved to Dubai in April last year for a job with Emirates, suffered severe bruising and other injuries that required hospital treatment after she was allegedly attacked in her home, according to Detained in Dubai. She was due to appear in court next week.In a statement issued on Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin said: “I warmly welcome the news that Tori Towey is now free to return to Ireland. “We are glad for Tori and her family, and we wish her all the very best in the future.”
‘She was quiet until she was safely in the air’ – fears Tori Towey would be arrested again before she boarded plane
