Taoiseach 'disturbed' by reports Ibrahim Halawa needs injections to stay alive

Latest: The Taoiseach has said he is disturbed at reports of the health condition of Ibrahim Halawa.

Update 1.30pm: The Taoiseach has said he is disturbed at reports of the health condition of Ibrahim Halawa.

The Dubliner, who is awaiting trial in Egypt, has been reported by his family to be in a wheelchair and to need glucose injections to keep him alive.

Enda Kenny said: "I read a report where he was reported to be confined to a wheelchair…I am disturbed by this and we want to have verified from an Irish medical point of view what is the condition of Ibrahim Halawa."

Earlier:

The Government is to send an independent medical expert to assess Ibrahim Halawa in prison in Egypt

The Dubliner's health is understood to be deteriorating rapidly - his family have said he is receiving glucose injections to keep him alive.

The 21-year-old has been detained since August 2013.

His trial is listed for hearing in Cairo today along with almost 500 others, however it has already been postponed 19 times.

The Children's Minister has said it is now time to do things we have not tried before in order to get Ibrahim Halawa home.

“In light of the discussion that ensued at cabinet, and colleagues sharing a concern, we have decided we will look to have an independent medical expert be given access to Ibrahim Halawa in the Egyptian prison," Katherine Zappone said.