Acquitted Ibrahim Halawa finally released from jail in Cairo

The Irish Ambassador to Egypt, Sean O’Regan, confirmed that Mr Halawa had been released at around 11pm last night, bringing an end to over four years of detention and an international campaign for his release.

The 21-year-old was arrested in Egypt in August 2013 and subjected, his lawyers say, to human rights abuses and inhuman prison conditions, including violent physical abuse, overcrowding, humiliation and lack of sanitation. His trial was adjourned over thirty times.

In a feature for Irish Legal News on Mr Halawa’s trial, ILN correspondent Kevin Burns wrote: “The young man has spent his early adulthood incarcerated far from home for a crime he did not commit, and has lost over four years of his young life to the capricious legal system of a despotic government.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said: “I am delighted that Ibrahim has finally been released after his long and difficult ordeal, and that he will soon be able to return home and be reunited with his family.

“I know that Ibrahim and his family have asked for privacy during this time and I hope that this will be respected.

“Ibrahim has been through a lot, and I think we all need to give him the time and space that he needs.

“On behalf of the Government, I want to make clear that all appropriate ongoing support that Ibrahim requires in the period ahead will be available to him.”