Significant resources in Cairo and in Dublin continue to be deployed in the provision of comprehensive consular assistance to this citizen. The key focus of our extensive engagement on this complex and sensitive case remains securing this citizen’s best interests in so far as we can, working to see him released by the Egyptian authorities at the earliest possible opportunity and providing consular support for his welfare while he remains in detention. I have had numerous discussions with my Egyptian counterpart about this case. I and my officials have extensive contact with the Egyptian Ambassador here in Dublin, and there has been ongoing contact between our Ambassador and Embassy in Cairo and the Egyptian authorities. The Taoiseach has also raised this case with the Egyptian President, and discussed it with him in person recently in New York. We are also in extensive contact with other international partners who have had citizens in similar situations. The information we receive from all of these contacts is carefully considered and used in reviewing our approach to this case on a constant basis. I have also raised it with the EU and have been in direct contact with HRVP Mogherini on this case, as well as with her predecessor Baroness Catherine Ashton. I would also note that Embassy officials visited this citizen in detention most recently on 1 November 2015. This exceptional level of action has been taken by the Government and by my Department because of the very exceptional nature of this case – he was a minor at the time of his arrest and the group nature of his trial gives rise to particular concerns.
We will continue to take all appropriate action that we believe to be in the best interests of this citizen. However, the reality is that any decision to release this citizen will ultimately be taken by the Egyptian authorities, not by us.
Given that the trial is ongoing, the Government has to be extremely careful to ensure that its actions, both public and private, are well judged and do not detract from our key goal of securing positive progress for this citizen at the earliest possible time. I am aware that there are those who are critical of the Government’s approach, but I would appeal to all those who also have this citizen’s best interests in mind to ensure that their actions and public statements are not such that they could jeopardise our considered and concerted efforts to achieve positive progress for this citizen.
The Government has formally supported several applications that have been made by this citizen’s legal team for his release on bail and under the Presidential decree. The Egyptian authorities are in no doubt about our position. We await the Judge’s ruling on the most recent application we have supported. While the further adjournment of the trial on 4 October was a disappointment to us all, above all for this citizen, the Government's considered view remains that the firm, measured and sustained diplomatic approach we are taking continues to be in his best interest and represents the best hope to achieve his return to Ireland at the earliest possible date.
