Halawa turned down department’s help

Tom Ryan has said (Irish Examiner, December 24) that “Ibrahim Halawa’s case should be up front and centre to Irish foreign policy, for the immediate release of this young man”.

No government would wish to be accused of attempting to interfere in the internal affairs of another government (no matter how questionable its actions).

We must not lose sight of the main facts in this case: Ibrahim Halawa, and his sisters, according to international media reports, became involved in demonstrations in support of ousted Muslim Brotherhood president, Mohamed Mursi.

Having taken “refuge” in a local mosque with other demonstrators, the Halawa family were offered “safe passage” by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The family declined the offer and remained in the mosque, until arrested.

If Ibrahim Halawa had accepted the “safe passage” arranged by the Irish ambassador, he might have avoided arrest and incarceration, and this ongoing saga might well have been avoided.

Michael A. Moriarty

Rochestown

Cork