merrion street

- Irish Government represented in Court
- Minister reaffirms Government commitment ensuring that Mr. Halawa can return home as soon as possible

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan today expressed his concern following a further lengthy adjournment today in the case of detained Irish citizen Ibrahim Halawa in Egypt.

This latest adjournment until 6 March is clearly a matter of serious concern for all of us, and especially for Ibrahim and his family. Our Ambassador, Damien Cole, attended court today in Wadi al Natrun and spoke with members of Ibrahim's family.

My Department is maintaining close and regular contact with Ibrahim, his family and his Egyptian legal team, and diplomatic officers from Ireland’s Embassy in Cairo continue to provide extensive consular assistance to him.

Diplomatic officers from the Embassy make regular consular visits to Ibrahim; the most recent of these took place on 28 December.

Despite today's most disappointing news, my Department and I remain focused on two clear objectives: First, to secure Ibrahim Halawa's release at the earliest possible opportunity so that he may return home to his family and his studies and, second, to provide for his welfare while he remains in detention.

I and my Department will continue to advocate on Ibrahim's behalf with our European partners and the Egyptian authorities until such time as he is released.