Mattie McGrath appeals for consular help for jailed man in UAE
Mattie McGrath urged the government to secure consular assistance for Mr John White, an Irish citizen detained in Dubai over a company debt. McGrath said White has suffered two strokes, is almost blind, was recently released from hospital and urgently needs repatriation support to Clonmel and Dublin.
Appeal made in the parliamentary debate
The speaker raised the case directly in the chamber, asking the Taoiseach and the minister to intervene with consular services. He appealed for urgent help to facilitate repatriation of the injured Irish citizen.
Details of the detainee's condition
Mr John White has reportedly suffered two strokes and was released from hospital on Friday. He is described as almost blind and unable to fend for himself after years of incarceration in Dubai for a company debt rather than personal debt.
Consular assistance requested
The request focuses on immediate consular intervention to get the man out of the UAE and back to Ireland. The speaker emphasised the urgency and the need for the Department of Foreign Affairs to act to arrange repatriation.
Government response recorded
A Deputy Minister responded that the case will be raised with the Department of Foreign Affairs and its urgency reminded. The Deputy Minister indicated it will be referred to Marion Harkin to follow up on the consular matter.
Local connections and consequences
The speaker noted family contacts in Clonmel and Dublin who are awaiting the man's return. The appeal highlighted the human and medical consequences of long-term incarceration abroad and the need for state assistance in repatriation.
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Today, because you are standing in front of a T-shirt and you have long experience in foreign affairs, I am a citizen from Con Mell, Mr John White, who has been incarcerated out in the UAE, in Dubai for a number of years, in prison for debt of a company owed, not personal debt. He is now at two strokes, he has been released from hospital, his family's sister contacted me yesterday, he has been released from hospital on Friday morning, finally, he is almost blind, he needs consular assistance to get him out of that country and back home to be repatriated with people in Clonmel and in Dublin. The Taoiseach knows this family, he knows others, so I ask you, please, to get to the consular to intervene here. He has gone through hell and back and he has been incarcerated, now he has been released, finally, from hospital Friday morning, suffered two strokes, so he is partially blind, unable to fend for himself or make his way home, so he needs consular assistance. I am appealing to you to try and intervene. Thank you, Deputy Minister. Thank you, Deputy Minister. Yeah, no, Deputy, having been in that department, I know how complex and how difficult some consular cases are, but I will raise this issue with the Department of Foreign Affairs and remind them of the urgency of it that you have raised today. It will be Marion Harkin. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
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