By Keith Kelly

Copyright independent

John Murphy (59) from Limerick is stranded in the Gulf without an income and is barred from leaving the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Activist organisation Detained in Dubai has issued a plea to the Irish Government to lead the charge in getting Mr Murphy out of the country.

The organisation was set up in 2008 to assist foreign victims of injustice in the UAE and throughout the Gulf States, and has represented 20,000 clients to date.

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Mr Murphy was originally arrested in Abu Dhabi, another emirate in the UAE, on allegations of offending hotel security staff.

This led to his imprisonment, but he was later acquitted while awaiting trial.

However, another nightmare came his way when the rent he was paying prior to his arrest went unpaid while he was detained, leading his landlord to pursue the money.

As a result, Mr Murphy’s possessions were seized, and a travel ban was imposed.

Describing him as being left “trapped between a rock and a hard place” for a number of years, Detained in Dubai CEO, Radha Sterling says his innocence on all charges must lead to his immediate release.

“He is innocent, yet he cannot leave, cannot work, and cannot even be arrested to resolve his situation. He is now physically failing, suffering from serious medical and dental issues, and abandoned in a foreign country,” she said.

The organisation said that he has been “chased away” from a bus station where he tried to reside while homeless, leaving him with no other option but to spend all day riding on the metro to survive.

Mr Murphy has two unresolved civil cases, including one in Abu Dhabi from 2017. He claims he has evidence to prove that the debts are not owed but cannot afford the administrative fees to defend himself.

He has family in Limerick, as well as in the UK, which Ms Sterling hopes will help to secure his release.

“Ireland cannot abandon one of its own citizens, especially a grandfather found innocent, to die on the streets of Dubai,” she said.

“We are calling not only on the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin but also on the Irish Embassy in Abu Dhabi to intervene urgently and secure John’s immediate repatriation before his health collapses.”

Ms Stirling praised Ireland’s record in negotiating during similar situations: “The Irish government has shown leadership in the past year by intervening successfully in cases where citizens were unjustly detained or left in danger abroad.

“We urge them to extend the same urgency and compassion to John Murphy, whose situation is now desperate.”

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs told the Irish Independent: “The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance.

“As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the details of individual cases. Travel advice for Irish citizens and specific advice relating to exit requirements from the UAE can be found on Ireland.ie.”