Trish McCabe, from Dublin, is begging the Irish government to get her daughter and granddaughter home. “It’s not that complicated”, she says.
Her daughter Alma, 36, and granddaughter Isabella, 4, have been stuck in Abu Dhabi since March 2022 as her German ex-husband put a travel ban on Isabella. The UAE family courts have awarded Alma full custody and parental responsibility but the Irish Embassy has so far not pushed the UAE to delete a travel ban placed on Isabella during a custody dispute.
Trish McCabe with Isabella in Ireland
“My daughter has been through an unbelievable traumatic time in the Emirates. 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 Alma.
Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, who worked with the Irish government to get Tori Towey home, weighed in, “I’ve come to know Alma and her mum Trish recently. They 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 Taoiseach Simon Harris, Mary Lou McDonald and Michael Martin. Detained in Dubai suggests the government of Ireland liaise with the UAE’s foreign office and Ambassador to help Alma home.
