The Taoiseach intends to ask the Egyptian President to allow Ibrahim Halawa to return to Ireland following his trial on Monday.

Amnesty International has said another postponement in the trial of an Irishman in Egypt is proof the north African country’s criminal justice system is spiralling out of control.

Members of the Halawa family here and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore were last night awaiting developments over reports in Cairo that the four Irish people who have been detained by Egyptian authorities may face criminal charges.