Trish McCabe said her daughter Alma is going through a “traumatic time”, as her ex-husband got a court to put a travel ban on their four-year-old daughter, Isabella.
They have been stuck in Abu Dhabi since March 2022, even though the United Arab Emirates (UAE) family courts have since awarded Alma (36) full custody and parental responsibility.
Ms McCabe is begging the Irish Government for help to get her daughter and granddaughter home for Christmas, as the travel ban placed on Isabella during the custody dispute remains in place.
“My daughter has been through an unbelievable traumatic time. It’s been hell, but she’s won all parental rights and thought she’d be able to return home,” she said.
“She’s won everything. All she wants is to come home to her family and the only thing standing in her way is a local travel ban.”
Trish McCabe with her granddaughter Isabella in Ireland
Alma and Trish have reached out to politicians including Taoiseach Simon Harris, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald and Tanaiste Michael Martin.
“The Embassy has said they can’t really do anything, but it’s a really simple request,” Ms McCabe said.
“She [Alma] has custody. Isabella is an Irish citizen, was born in Ireland and they just need to come home. After everything they’ve been through, we just want to be reunited.”
Detained in Dubai, an organisation that campaigns on behalf of expats and tourists in the region, has called on the Irish government to liaise with the UAE’s foreign office and ambassador to help get Alma and Isabella home.
Founder Radha Stirling, who earlier this year worked with the Irish government to get Roscommon woman Tori Towey home from Dubai, said: “I’ve come to know Alma and her mum Trish recently.
“They were hoping the custody win would remove the travel ban on Isabella and it should have. Unfortunately, things move very slowly in the UAE and there is little concern for the effect this is having on Alma and Isabella.
“If they are to be free to leave the UAE, it’s going to require some diplomatic conversations between the Irish and UAE governments, and we hope they will get involved and bring these citizens home.
“When marriages end in Dubai, the legal process is a nightmare for foreigners. It’s something to consider for families and couples considering relocating.
“If anything goes wrong, they are faced with an often unfair and painful judiciary.
“Despite the odds being stacked against her, Alma has won her cases and wants nothing more than to be home for Christmas and able to heal from a truly difficult and frightening experience,” she added.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has been contacted for comment.
