A SWORDS native has told the extraordinary story of how she rescued her young daughter after she was kidnapped and taken to war-torn Syria.
‘Stolen: Escape from Syria’ is the heart-wrenching story of the love and determination of Louise Monaghan who braved bomb attacks and sniper fire when she walked through Syria during the worst civil war in the country to be reunited with her daughter, May.
It might read like the plot for a blockbuster movie but this was the ordeal that Louise and May endured and survived last year.
“When I began to relay the story I did find it hard to realise that it wasn’t just a dream,
? Louise told Northside People.
“I often have to catch myself and think
‘this is my story’.
?
Louise’s nightmare unfolded in the autumn of 2011 when her ex-husband Mostafa Assad snatched May, who was six-years-of-age at the time, and fled to Cyprus.
He then went to his homeland of Syria where Louise took her life in her hands to track them down.
She crossed the heavily guarded border into Syria not knowing if or for how long she would survive and whether she would ever find her daughter again.
Louise (37) cunningly tricked her ex-husband into believing she still loved him and wanted to live with him with the sole intention of being with May again.
Once in his homeland, she too was held captive, locked inside a run-down house day and night without food and no hope of escape.
She was severely beaten and left unconscious on the ground in front of her child not knowing that within 24-hours she would be given the five minute window of opportunity she needed to escape with her daughter.
“I always had a good bond with May and she trusted me,
? the devoted mum explained.
“We used to have secret conversations planning our escape. She was naturally petrified when we made a run for it and jumped into a taxi.
“She threw herself on the floor of the taxi and told the driver that her father was dead when he wanted to know where he was.
“I got counselling for May but after two weeks the counsellor said she was very balanced and wouldn’t need the support.
?
The terrified mother and daughter made their journey through bomb attacks, sniper fire and across a heavily patrolled mountain range in the dead of night where they were led by illegal people-smugglers.
“How we survived and lived to tell this story I don’t know,
? Louise said.
“It’s a miracle. That experience just changed my whole perspective on life. I was in survival mode. I’m sure any good mother would do the same to rescue their child from danger. That’s just the kind of person I am; I take challenges head on.
?
Despite the surreal experience and brushes with death, Louise insists that she has no regrets.
“If I didn’t meet Mostafa I wouldn’t have my beautiful daughter May,
? she said.
“I feel I didn’t portray him as evil in the book. I tried to write it from an objective view.
“I have learned a lot of lessons though and even if one woman recognises the signs of an abusive partner then that would be something positive.
?
She added:
“For me I guess I will always sleep with one eye open.
?
Louise and May returned to Ireland after their escape from Syria but have since returned to live in Cyprus where May has lived all her life.
‘Stolen: Escape from Syria’ reached the number five spot in the non-fiction bestsellers list. It is available in all bookshops priced at
?¬12.99.