Former Cairo inmate urges Govt to push for Dublin teenager's release

A man who was arrested at the same time as Dublin teenager Ibrahim Halawa in Cairo two years ago, has called on the Irish Government to do more to ensure the 19-year-old's release.

John Greyson and his companion were released from Tora prison after 50 days, after the Canadian government put pressure on Egypt.

Ibrahim was held in Tora for much of his internment, before being moved to another prison earlier this year.

Mr Greyson says that prison life in Egypt is tough, and that the guards can make a long stay worse.

He said: "They treated us with a mix of fascination and ridicule. We were fascinating because we were a Palestinian and a Canadian, we were treated with ridicule because they were saying 'What are you fools doing in here? What's your problem?'

"The guards generally, famously, though there are little acts of kindness that will sometimes break up your stay there , mostly they are out to get you."