Irish mother pleads for help as daughter and granddaughter stuck in UAE

An Irish grandmother has pleaded for help as her daughter and granddaughter are stuck in the United Arab Emirates.

Trish McCabe, from Dublin, is begging the Irish Government to get her daughter Alma and granddaughter Isabella home.

Alma, 36 and Isabella, 4, have been stuck in Abu Dhabi after Alma’s German ex-husband applied for a travel ban on Isabella in March 2022 and it has not yet been lifted.

READ MORE - Tori Towey fears ex-husband will come after her as she plans to take out protection order

READ MORE - Watch: Tears as emotional Tori Towey is reunited with family after 'nightmare' ordeal in Dubai

The UAE family courts have awarded Alma full custody and parental responsibility but the Irish Embassy has so far not pushed the UAE to remove the travel ban, which stemmed from a custody dispute.

"My daughter has been through an unbelievably traumatic time in the Emirates," said Trish.

"It’s been Hell but she’s won all parental rights and thought she’d be able to return home to Ireland. She’s won everything. All she wants is to come home to her family and the only thing standing in her way is a local travel ban.

"The Embassy has said they can’t really do anything but it’s a really simple request. She has custody. Isabella is an Irish citizen, was born in Ireland and they just need to come home.

"After everything they’ve been through, we just want to be reunited," pleaded Trish.

And speaking to The Irish Mirror, Alma said: "I have been in touch with the Irish Embassy for two years seeking help here.

"I desperately need help, dealing with the embassy is heightening my anxiety as they are not taking it seriously.

"Not once has my four-year-old daughter’s well-being and freedom been mentioned, which is deeply concerning. I need help.

"We just want this to be over and be with our family in Ireland for Christmas," said Alma.

Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, who worked with the Irish Government to get another Irish woman, Tori Towey, home, said, "I’ve come to know Alma and her mum Trish recently."

Ms Towey, 28, from Co Roscommon, was working as a flight attendant with an airline based in Dubai when she was charged with attempting suicide and consuming alcohol. She was a victim of domestic violence at the time.

Her case prompted an intervention by Taoiseach Simon Harris earlier this year after it was raised in the Dáil.

Police in the UAE withdrew those charges against Ms Towey and the travel ban was lifted. She returned home in July.

"Trish and Alma were hoping the custody win would remove the travel ban on Isabella and it should have, but unfortunately, things move very slowly in the UAE and there is little concern for the effect this is having on Alma and Isabella.

"If they are to be free to leave the UAE, it’s going to require some diplomatic conversations between the Irish and UAE Governments and we hope they will get involved and bring these citizens home.

"When marriages end in Dubai, the legal process is a nightmare for foreigners.

"It’s something to consider for families and couples considering relocating.

"If anything goes wrong, they are faced with an often unfair and painful judiciary.

"Despite the odds being stacked against her, Alma has won her cases and wants nothing more than to be home for Christmas and able to heal from a truly difficult and frightening experience."

Alma and Trish have reached out to representatives including Mr Harris, Mary Lou McDonald and Micheal Martin.

Detained in Dubai suggests the government of Ireland liaise with the UAE’s foreign office and ambassador to help bring Alma home.

In a statement, a Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said: "The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of this case and have provided extensive consular assistance. As will all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the details of individual cases."

Sign up to the Irish Mirror's daily newsletter here and get breaking news and top stories direct to your inbox