THE release of Ibrahim Halawa from an Egyptian prison last week has been warmly welcomed on the Southside.
Fine Gael TD for Dublin South West, Colm Brophy, praised the work of current and former Taoisigh and Foreign Affairs Ministers for helping to secure the release of the young Firhouse man.
Deputy Brophy, who was a member of an Oireachtas delegation that visited Ibrahim in jail last January, said his release was a long drawn out diplomatic affair with Irish officials relentlessly lobbying their Egyptian counterparts and making representations on his behalf.
“The work of Taoisigh Varadkar and Kenny and Foreign Ministers Coveney and Flanagan in this case cannot be understated,” Deputy Brophy said. “This was a long diplomatic affair and through no fault on the Irish side, Ibrahim was locked up for more than four years in Egypt before being acquitted on all charges.
“Every singular effort was made to secure his release and perseverance has finally paid off. I welcome his release – Ibrahim has waited long enough for it.”
He added: “It has been a terrible ordeal for him and his family. Ibrahim and his sisters never committed any wrongdoing or broke any laws in Egypt in 2013. Their innocence has been confirmed and hopefully a young Irishman can now get back to normal life.”
The SIPTU Global Solidarity Committee also welcomed Ibrahim's release from prison.
National Campaigns and Equality Organiser, Karan O'Loughlin, said: “This news has been a long time coming. It is a happy day for Ibrahim and his family after four years of worry and distress."
She added: “The work of our union is not solely about improving the pay and conditions of workers. Our members have a keen sense of the need for justice at local and international level.
“The release of Ibrahim clearly demonstrates that international solidarity can work.”
Ibrahim Halawa had languished in an Egyptian prison since his arrest in 2013 before being acquitted of all charges last month. He had been declared an Amnesty International Prisoner of Conscience.